Box Score

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Derek Needham scored a game-high 17 points while Maurice Barrow registered another double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds as the Fairfield University men's basketball team posted a 70-55 win over Canisius College at the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard.

The victory improved Fairfield's winning streak to five games and gave the team 16 wins in its last 17 games. The Stags head into Friday's home game with Iona with a 17-4 overall record and became the first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) to win 10 conference games.

Canisius took its only lead of the first half when Elton Frazier scored on the team's first possession. The Stags answered right away with a three-point play from Maurice Barrow with 18:17 on the clock. Fairfield's run continued with back-to-back baskets from Jamel Fields and Barrow for a 7-2 advantage. Fairfield built its lead to six points after Keith Matthews laid the ball in the basket for an 11-5 edge.

The Golden Griffs trimmed the lead to three points with a 5-2 spurt which made the score 13-10 after Reggie Groves' lay up. Fairfield continued to rebuild its lead steadily, eventually pushing the margin to 11 points at 31-20 over seven-plus minutes of action. Fairfield would eventually settle for an eight-point lead at halftime, 33-25. Fields led all with 11 points, while Barrow added eight points and seven rebounds scorers in the opening half.

The eight-point advantage stuck through the first three minutes of the second half at 37-29 with 17:16 on the clock. Canisius went on a 7-0 run, its best of the game, to pull within a point at 37-36. Alshwan Hymes made a three-point shot during the Canisius stretch. Fairfield pushed right back by scoring eight of the next points to improve its lead to seven points at 45-37 with 11:55 remaining.

Not to be outdone, Canisius was able to bring the back to within a single point over the next three minutes as Hymes contributed with a pair of three pointers to make the score 48-47.

Fairfield took control of the game with 11 unanswered points which turned the one-point edge into a 12-point lead at 59-47. Needham gave the big push during those three-plus minutes with three pointers on back-to-back possessions. Canisius never came closer than eight points for the rest of the game. The Stags' biggest lead was 15 points after Barrow made a pair of free throws in the final seconds.

The Stags will play their third straight home game on Friday night against Iona, a contest which will be broadcasted nationally on ESPNU. Game time is slated for 9 pm at the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard.