Box Score
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Warren Edney scored a team-high 18 points, one of three Fairfield student-athletes in double figures, as the Fairfield University men's basketball team came up short in a 61-60 loss to Stonehill College in an exhibition game on Monday night.
Edney returned to the hardwood after missing more than a year with injury, and picked up where he left off before going down. He made six of nine shots from the floor and grabbed five rebounds in 34 minutes.
The Stags jumped out to a 2-0 lead on the their first possession as Greg Nero drove the lane for a lay up. Stonehill answered with five straight points to take the lead by a 5-2 count just two minutes into the contest.
Fairfield tralied by as many as seven points in the first half, but rallied to tie the score by halftime at 24-24. The Stags ended the half with a 14-7 run, with Warren Edney and Yorel Hawkins each scoring five points during the run.
The Stags held the lead briefly by a two points at 27-25 and 29-27 at the beginning of the second half, but Stonehill used a 13-4 run over the next five minutes to take command at 40-33. Sam Markle scored the last five points of the run for Stonehill. Fairfield managed tot ie the game at 42-42 after Keith Matthews laid the ball in the basket, before Stonehill answered with seven of the next nine points for a 49-44 advantage with eight minutes remaining.
Stonehill would hold the lead until the Stags tied the game at 59-59 after a three-point play at Edney at the 1:47 mark. Fairfield secured the lead on its next possession when Colin Nickerson made one of two free throws that pushed the Stags in front at 60-59. Daniel Heppert made two free throws to give Stonehill the edge on the team's next possession.
The Stags did not score on their next possession and were forced to foul Heppert with five seconds remaining. Heppert missed both charity tosses this time, giving the Stags one last chance. However, a three-point try at the buzzer fell short of the rim, sealing the one-point setback for the home team.
Edney led all Fairfield scorers with 18 points. Derek Needham added 14 points and five assists, while Colin Nickerson netted 11 points with three steals.
Fairfield opens the 2010-11 regular season when it takes on Sacred Heart University in the first game of the Connectiut 6 Classic at the Mohegan Sun Arena on November 13. Game time is slated for 4 pm.
