FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University men's basketball team will host the University of Bridgeport in an exhibition game Thursday night. The game will be played at the Arena at Harbor Yard, beginning at 7:30 pm.

The Stags are playing the first of two exhibition games on November 5, the second of which is scheduled for November 9 against Stonehill College. The Stonehill game will have special meaning to Head Coach Ed Cooley, who graduated from the school in 1994.

Fairfield comes off another successful season under Coach Cooley, posting a 17-15 overall record and a 9-9 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) mark. It marks the third straight season that the Stags have improved on their win total under Cooley, winning 14 in 2006-07 and 15 in 2007-08.

Bridgeport registered a 22-9 overall record and a 14-4 mark in the East Coast Conference under Head Coach Mike Ruane. The Purple Knights won 11 of their last 14 games a year ago, and won 10 games on the road. Dave Boykin returns this season after starting all 31 games last season and averaged 13.2 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.

Tickets are available at the Arena at Harbor Yard box office. For ticket information, please call the Fairfield University ticket office at (203) 254-4136.