NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Ryan Olander registered a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Yorel Hawkins and Maurice Barrow each scored a team-high 14 points as the Fairfield University men's basketball completed its upstate New York with a 57-49 win over Niagara University.

The victory gave the Stags a 3-1 record on its four-game road swing and pushed Fairfield into first place by itself in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. (MAAC) standings.

The Stags defense took Niagara out of its offense early, keeping the Purple Eagles off the scoreboard for the first five minutes of the game. During that defensive stand, Fairfield scored six points off a pair of baskets of Yorel Hawkins and a lay up from Maurice Barrow.

The Purple Eagles finally put the ball into the basket when Malcolm Lemmons went high off the glass to close the gap to 6-2. The Stags still held their six-point lead at 10-4 with 11 minutes to go, but it was at that point that Niagara put things together offensive. The home team went on a 13-0 run to build its biggest lead of the game at 17-10 with just over seven minutes remaining in the half.

Fairfield broke that run after Ryan Olander tipped a missed shot into the basket which made the score 17-12, ending a five-minute scoring drought. The Purple Eagles would never lead by more than five from that point, as the Stags were able to generate some offense and stay close. The Stags pulled to within two points after Derek Needham was fouled intentionally, sending him to the line for two shots. He made one of those free throw attempts, but the Stags turned the ball over when they received the ball back after the free throws.

Neither team managed any points in the final two-plus minutes, sending Niagara into the locker room with a 21-19 lead. It marked only the fourth time this year that Fairfield trailed at halftime.

Fairfield used its defense at the start of the half to work its way back into the game. Yorel Hawkins made one of two free throws to cut the halftime lead in half at 21-20. Marvin Jordan hit a jumper to pull in front by three points at 23-20. Needham tallied his first basket of the game with a drive to the hoop, making the score 23-22.

Barrow's tip in gave Fairfield its first lead since early in the first half at 24-23. On the ensuing possession, Barrow and Needham double-teamed Kevon Moore which resulted in a breakaway dunk for Barrow and a 28-23 lead. The Stags continued its run with lay ups from Hawkins and Barrow for 32-23 advantage, Fairfield's biggest lead of the game.

Lemmons broke a six-minute Niagara scoreless streak with a pair of free throws which drew Niagara within seven at 32-25. Marvin Jordan added a jumper for a five-point Purple Eagle deficit at 32-27, A dunk and lay up by Olander regained the Stags' nine-point edge at 36-27. After Olander's basket, the lead grew to 11 points after Lyndon Jordan scored off a lay up at 38-27.

Niagara slowly worked its way back into the game by sending the Stags to the line from that point. The Purple Eagles were able to cut the lead to three points with four minutes remaining by using a 15-7 run which made the score 45-42. Needham broke through with the Stags first field goal in nearly six minutes, a three-point shot that doubled the Fairfield lead at 48-42 with three-plus minutes on the clock. Hawkins followed with a running one-hander to push the advantage to eight points at 50-42. Needham added a pair of charity tosses to reestablish a double-digit lead at 52-42.

The Stags continued its parade to the free throw line in the closing minutes and were able to make those shots and keep Niagara from any come back attempt.

Hawkins and Barrow both missed a double-double by a rebound with nine caroms each. Marvin Jordan paced the Niagara offense with 16 points.

Fairfield returns to the court on January 28 when its hosts Manhattan College at the Arena at Harbor Yard. Game time is 7:30 pm.