Box Score
FAIRFIELD, Conn. –
Greg Nero scored a game-high nine points while
Yorel Hawkins and Ryan Olander each added seven points as the Fairfield University men's basketball team dropped a 64-49 decision to Penn State University.
At the start of the first half, the Stags had success going inside as Greg Nero and Ryan Olander combined for six of the team's first 10 points. While Fairfield found success inside, the Nittany Lions were scoring from outside, using the three-point shot as its ultimate weapon.
Penn State scored five baskets over three-plus minutes midway through the half, but three of those hoops were from outside the arc. The team's outside success enabled it to turn a 4-4 game into a 17-10 advantage with 11:32 remaining in the first half. Talor Battle scored two of those three pointers on back-to-back possessions.
Fairfield fell behind by double figures once in the opening half at 22-12 with 7:23 on the clock. Derek Needham netted his only basket of the half two minutes later, a three-point shot that closed the gap to 22-15 with 5:31 remaining. Penn State would raise its lead by a point at halftime, going into the locker room with a 26-18 lead.
Penn State started the second half with an 11-8 spurt that pushed its halftime lead to double figures at 37-26. Fairfield would come within nine points after Colin Nickerson hit two free throws and Greg Nero added one of two free throw attempts, making the score 38-29 with 13:28 remaining.
Nero's free throw would be the Stags' last point for nearly six minutes, allowing Penn State to put together 12 straight points that pushed the home team's lead to 50-29. Fairfield's scoreless spell came to an end with a three-point shot from Yorel Hawkins that closed the gap to 50-32 with 7:38 remaining.
Fairfield found its stroke over the final six minutes, scoring 15 points during the stretch. Keith Matthews tallied six points while Hawkins added four points during that final run.
The Stags will open the home portion of its 2010-11 schedule on Tuesday, November 23 when they host Saint Joseph's University at the Arena at Harbor Yard. The game is part of the Philly Hoop Group Classic and is also a Jesuit Basketball Spotlight game. The opening tip is set for 7:30 pm.
