MONMOUTH, N.J. –  Long range shooting kept the Fairfield University men's basketball team close for most of the evening but it was not enough to overcome Monmouth University as the Stags fell to the Hawks by a 77-70 score. The Stags netted a season-high 11 three pointers but the Hawks were just as effective from the free throw line, netting 30 of 40 attempts including the team's final 17 points.

                The Stags led for most of the first half, building a 6-1 advantage early behind a three-point play from Marcus Gilbert and a three pointer by Tyler Nelson. The Hawks scored their points in bunches during the half including an 8-0 run over the next three minutes that pushed them in front at 9-6. The Stags defense stepped and held Monmouth scoreless for seven minutes, giving Fairfield a chance to add eight points to its total for a 14-9 edge at the 8:09 mark.

                Monmouth put together another run would give the home team its last lead of the half at 19-17. Five different Hawks scored during the 10-3 spurt which ended with a jumper from Andrew Nicholas with 5:24 remaining. Nelson netted his second three pointer of the half to recapture the lead for Fairfield at 20-19 which would set off an 8-0 run to give the visitors a 25-19 lead after a K.J. Rose free throw.

                Fairfield would carry a four-point lead into the locker room, keeping Monmouth to 26 points in the opening 20 minutes. Mike Kirkland, who hit a three pointer with seven seconds left in the half, led the Stags offense with nine points. Malcolm Gilbert posted three of the team's six blocks with Coleman Johnson adding two more rejections to the total.

                Monmouth came out of the locker room and outscored the Stags 8-2 in the first five minutes to take its first lead of the half at 34-32. The Stags retook the lead at 36-34 after a basket from Coleman Johnson and a pair of free throws from Kirkland. After a pair of Max DiLeo free throws tied the game, the Hawks would begin a stretch in which they made seven straight shots that would help the team take control of the game at 54-39 with 9:36 on the clock.

                Monmouth would hold that double-digit lead for most of the second half until the Stags found their range from behind the arc. Trailing by 13 points at 66-53, Marcus Gilbert made a pair of free throws and added a layup on the next possession to bring Fairfield within nine points at 66-57 with 1:37 remaining. After a Monmouth turnover, Nelson connected on another three pointer to make it a six point game at 66-60 with 1:09 remaining.

                DiLeo proceeded to make four straight free throws to push the deficit back to double figures at 70-60. Still, Fairfield would make another try at a comeback as the team put together a 5-1 spurt off a pair of Segura free throws and a three pointer from Nelson to bring it back to a six-point game, 71-65. But the Hawks continued to score at the free throw line to keep Fairfield from coming no closer than five points.

                Marcus Gilbert paced the Fairfield offense with 19 points while Nelson added 15 points, all coming from behind the arc. Kirkland also reached double figures with 13 points for Fairfield. DiLeo tallied a team-high 19 points for Monmouth, netting 11 of 12 free throw attempts. Justin Robinson chipped in with 16 points for the Hawks.

                Fairfield returns home for its next game, an 8 pm start against Canisius College at Webster Bank Arena. Tickets are available at the Webster Bank Arena box office and by navigating to www.ticketmaster.com.