WEBSTER BANK ARENA – A strong second-half effort that erased a double-digit deficit was not enough for the Fairfield University men's basketball team to come all the way back as the Stags lost to Niagara University by a 55-53 score on Thursday night.

With the game in danger of spiraling out of control, the Stags came together midway through the half and fought all the way back from a 14-point hole with 14:32 remaining. But the brunt of the comeback fell on the shoulders of three student-athletes, namely Marcus Gilbert, Tyler Nelson, and Mike Kirkland.

The trio accounted for all but three of the team's 37 second-half points as Gilbert tallied 15 points, Nelson added all 13 of his point total, and Kirkland posted six markers for a total of 34 points. Steve Smith was the only other Stag to find the bottom of the net in the final 20 minutes, connecting on a three-point shot with 1:32 remaining to make it a 47-44 game.

The Stags trailed by 10 at halftime and saw that deficit grow to 14 points after Dominique Reid finished a three-point play to make it a 35-21 game with 14:32 remaining. Fairfield rallied with five straight points to cut the lead to a single digit at 35-26. Niagara's James Suber pushed the lead back to 11 points with a dunk but those would be the last points scored by Niagara for nearly four minutes.

With the Purple Eagles struggling offensively, the Stags scored 11 straight points to tie the game at 37-37 following two free throws by Gilbert. Tyler Nelson and Mike Kirkland also contributed to the run with five and four points, respectively. The visitors stopped the run with a layup by Wesley Myers to make it a 39-37 lead at the 7:06 mark. After Fairfield tied the game off a Kirkland layup, Reid converted another three-point play to give the Purple Eagles the lead for good at 42-39.

Fairfield came within two points twice in the final 30 seconds after three-point shot from Nelson brought the score to 52-50 and Gilbert's three pointer closed the scoring at 55-53.

Gilbert led all scorers with 20 points and topped the Stags' rebounding chart with six caroms for the Stags. Kirkland just missed finishing in double figures, registering nine points which was his fourth-best performance at Webster Bank Arena this year. K.J. Rose did not score a point but was impressive with a season-high six assists against no turnovers.

Reid paced the Niagara with a double-double, tallying 14 points and 11 rebounds while Wesley Myers also reached double figures with 13 points.

Fairfield will finish the home portion of its schedule on Saturday afternoon with a 2 pm tip against Saint Peter's University. The game will follow the women's game which features the Stags hosting Siena at noon. Before each game, the programs will recap the careers of their senior classes. The day will also be highlighted with return of Fairfield's basketball alumni, who will be honored at halftime of both games.

Tickets for the doubleheader are available at the Webster Bank Arena ticket office as well as at www.ticketmaster.com.