WEBSTER BANK ARENA – In close games, the result can often hinge on one play, a moment that not only defines the game but also the players and the team. Tonight, sophomore K.J. Rose's number came up and the guard responded with a play that ultimately sent the Fairfield University men's basketball team to a 60-54 win over Marist College.

                With the Stags clinging to a two-point lead with just under four minutes remaining, Rose was able to dive for and control a loose ball, and while getting off the floor, regained his footing so that he could streak to the basket for a layup for a four-point lead.

                “At that point it was just instinct,” Rose said. “I saw the opening to the basket and I just wanted to get there as quickly as possible.”

                It was just another contribution for Rose, who came off the bench for the third straight game. The guard has performed admirably in his new role after starting the first 14 games of the season. Over the last three games, Rose has averaged four points and three assists per game. But he continues to make plays which have kept him the lineup for an average of 24 minutes per game during this three-game run.

                But Rose had a great deal of support from several teammates who helped Fairfield take control late in the game by erasing a late deficit in the closing minutes. The Stags trailed by three points at 43-40 with eight minutes remaining but closed out the game by outscoring the Red Foxes 20-11 the rest of the way.

                Fairfield, which entered the game ranked fourth in the MAAC for free throw percentage at .704, used the free throw line to take the lead and eventually keep Marist from coming back. During that final eight-minute surge, Fairfield scored 16 of its final 20 points from the free throw line. Five different Stags scored from the stripe during that run, as Coleman Johnson, Tyler Nelson, and Steve Johnston each made four charity tosses while Marcus Gilbert and Rose each netted two shots. The Stags made their first 14 free throws of the second half before finishing the half with 23 made in 27 tries.

                The game did not start out in a close fashion as Fairfield went right at Marist, which toted an 11-game losing streak coming into tonight. But Marist played most of that streak without two key starters. T.J. Curry missed 15 straight games while Khalil Hart came back in the last game after missing 13 contests. But with the duo back in the lineup, Marist would give Fairfield all it could handle.

                Fairfield jumped out to a 23-8 lead over the first 10-plus minutes of the game as Gilbert and Amadou Sidibe each scored six points during the stretch. The Red Foxes slowly chipped away at the lead, but still trailed by double figures at 26-15 with five minutes left in the half. Marist closed out the half with eight straight points to pull within three by intermission, 26-23. Curry and Chavaughn Lewis each tallied four points in the closing minutes for Marist.

                Gilbert opened the second half with a jumper that sent the lead to five points at 28-23 before Marist scored seven straight to grab its first lead of the game at 30-28, an advantage that came with Lewis' dunk at the 17:29 mark. Nelson stroked a three-point field goal to push Fairfield back in front which set off a see-saw game that saw five lead changes and three times.

                Trailing by a point at 36-35, Rose stepped to the line to give the Stags the lead at 37-36 with 14 minutes on the clock. Marist would battle back to take its biggest lead at 43-40 with 8:42 remaining before Fairfield would score six straight to grab its own three-point edge at 46-43 with 6:58 left.

                After a pair of free throws by Lewis allowed Marist to cut the lead to one point at 46-45, Gilbert made one of two free throws to make it a two-point lead for the Stags. With Marist holding the ball and trying to tie or take the lead, Rose made his game-changing steal and layup that put the Stags up two possessions at 49-45. Fairfield would not lead by less than that four point margin the rest of the way.

                “K.J. played so well in the second half,” Head Coach Sydney Johnson said. “He has earned those minutes tonight with his play on the court. This was a gutsy win tonight and I am really proud of how this team won tonight.”

                Fairfield will head out for its next MAAC game which is Sunday at Monmouth University. Game time is slated for 4:30 pm. The Stags next home game is scheduled for Thursday, January 22. The Fairfield women host Rider at 5 pm while the men take on Canisius at 8 pm. Tickets for the conference doubleheader are available at the Webster Bank ticket office or by navigating to www.ticketmaster.com.