BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- When Tyler Nelson stepped to the free throw line, it was not about setting a career high for points. It was about winning the game. So when the sophomore toed the line and looked at the basket, it was his time to put the finishing touches on a brilliant performance.

Nelson converted both free throw attempts that stopped a 4-0 run by Niagara that turned a five-point Fairfield lead into a one-point edge. His free throws made the score 70-67 with 13 seconds remaining. The Stags finished out the game by making three of their next four free throws to hold the lead given to them by Nelson as Fairfield came away with a 73-68 victory over the Purple Eagles at Webster Bank Arena.

Nelson finished with 27 points, one more than he scored against Saint Peter's last February.

"It was a big win for us because we wanted to come out and make a statement," Nelson said. "After a tough loss in our last game (Monmouth), we wanted to get a win on our home floor. Close games like this make you better. It will help us a lot later in the season and in postseason. We are a young team and we are learning so this is really helping us."

But Nelson could not and did not win this game on his own. As it has proven all season long, the Stags win games as a team and tonight was not any different. Head Coach Sydney Johnson received support from his senior as well as a pair of his talented freshmen.

Marcus Gilbert netted 17 points including 10 in the second half, which also lifted him into the top ten on Fairfield's all-time scoring list. Curtis Cobb just missed a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds in addition to picking up three steals. And, Jonathan Kasibabu scored nine points, grabbed six rebounds, and blocked three shots in addition to making two free throws with four seconds remaining that turned a one-possession game into a win.

"I think we have whole lot of mental toughness," Head Coach Sydney Johnson said. "I think it shows up in recruiting when you bring in new guys and it shows up through leadership from our upperclassmen. Those two things have made us into a program that is mentally tough. I like that we showed our toughness in both non-conference and conference play. It's fun to see that because it is how I played and how I want to coach and it's the type of team that I want to present to everyone who is following college basketball."

This game was as close as could be with eight tied scores and 11 lead changes over the 40-minute game. Niagara led for 18-plus minutes while Fairfield was in front for just under 16 minutes of the game. Part of Niagara's time in the lead came in the closing seconds of the first half when Karonn Davis netted a three-point field goal that put the Purple Eagles in front 35-32 with 16 seconds left before intermission.

Fairfield had not won a game this season when it trailed at the half, but most of those came early in the season when this team was still finding itself. Tonight, the Stags knew that they could overcome that deficit and they did just that.

Nelson started the second half with a three pointer and Gilbert added a dunk to help Fairfield grab the early lead at 37-35. Niagara tied the game with a tip in from Ali Tew, but Fairfield went on an 8-3 run to take a five-point edge at 45-40 at the 13:38 mark. A few minutes later, Niagara tied the game at 45-45 but Fairfield would respond with a string of seven points.

Niagara would take the lead one more time after Tew's dunk pushed the visitors in front at 57-56 with six minutes remaining. The two teams would eventually be even at 60-60 and 63-63, the last of which came with 1:51 remaining.

Nelson stepped up to make a three-point shot that was well beyond the arc, pushing Fairfield in front at 66-63. After regaining possession following a missed Niagara three-point try, Kasibabu was fouled around the basket to set up a pair of free throws. The freshman made both shots to make it a five-point edge.

The Purple Eagles scored the next four points to pull with a point at 68-67 with 13 seconds remaining. Nelson was fouled in the back court and placed on the free throw line. The sophomore made both attempts, finishing 6 for 6 from the line for the game, to increase the Fairfield lead to three points. The Stags would make three of their next four free throw attempts, including another pair from Kasibabu, to stay in front and win the game.

Matt Scott led all Niagara scorers with 17 points while Justin Satchell came off the bench to post 16 points. 

Fairfield will finish its three-game home stand by hosting Saint Peter's at Alumni Hall on January 19. Game time is 7 pm. The Stags are holding a 'Red Out' at the game and encourage all fans to wear red. The first 500 students in attendance will receive a free "Stags Up" t-shirt from Stags in the Stands.