FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- With a three-game winning streak in hand, the Fairfield University men's basketball team will host Quinnipiac University in the final game of a three-game home stand on Monday night. The game will tip off at 7 pm and will be broadcast on SNY and ESPN3.
The Bobcats ended a five-game losing streak with an 83-68 decision over Niagara University to improve to 6-13 overall and 3-7 in the MAAC on Saturday. The 83 points represent the most scored by the Bobcats since its 98-95 overtime loss to Maine on December 29. In its previous four games before Niagara, Quinnipiac did not reach the 60-point mark in its previous four games. Four Bobcats reached double figures in the game, led by Giovanni McLean's 19 points. Quinnipiac closed out the first half with a 12-0 run to take an eight-point lead into the locker room, eventually raising its advantage to 17 points in the second half.
The fact that McLean the team in scoring should not be surprising because the senior guard is averaging a team-best 14.6 points per game. Daniel Harris is the only other Quinnipiac student-athlete in double figures, netting 10.1 points every forty minutes. The duo also represent the team's top long-range shooters Harris leads the team with 45 three-point field goals followed by McLean's 38 three pointers. Abdulai Bundu and Donovan Smith provide an inside presence for the Bobcats, leading the team with 6.8 and 6.1 rebounds per game. Smith leads the team with 33 blocked shots in his 19 appearances.
Fairfield enters tonight's game with an 12-9 overall record and a 6-5 MAAC mark after winning its third straight game last Friday night. The Stags erased a 10-point first half and an eight-point second half deficit and defeated Canisius by an 84-77 decision at home. Curtis Cobb and Tyler Nelson led the Stags with 23 and 22 points, respectively. Cobb also pitched in with a team-best five assists and three steals. Jonathan Kasisbabu also put together a solid all-around game with nine points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. Fairfield shot 57 percent in the second half, the fifth time in the last three games that the team shot better than 50 percent in a half. Both teams performed well at the free throw line in the game. Canisius made all 14 of its first half charity tosses and settled for 20 of 23 for the game. The Stags went 18 of 21 from the line, most of which was comprised by Nelson (9 for 9).
Marcus Gilbert scored 12 of his 17 points in the second half against the Golden Griffs, leaving him with an 18.3 scoring average. Nelson places second among his teammates with 16 points per game. Gilbert is the team's top rebounder with 5.4 caroms per contest.
