ALBANY, N.Y.  –You can call all the right plays that get all the open shots. But sometimes despite the right calls and open shots, the ball just doesn't fall through the hoop. That was the situation for the Fairfield University men's basketball team. The Stags shot just 27 percent in the first half, its lowest percentage of the season, despite making six of 11 three-point attempts through the first 20 minutes. The slow start forced the team to play catch up for most of the night.

                By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Stags dropped a 91-76 decision to Siena College at the Times Union Center. The result evened Fairfield's overall record at 7-7 and dropped its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) mark to 1-3. Siena improved to 10-6 overall and 3-2 in MAAC play.

                Fairfield never led in this game but managed to stay close for most of the first half. After Marcus Gilbert's three pointer brought the Stags within three points at 20-17, Siena answered with an 8-4 run that double the team's advantage. From that point, Siena's lead hovered around six points or so until a late run enabled the home team to grab a 46-36 edge at halftime.

                The second half was just as unkind to the Stags as Siena opened the half by scoring 14 of the first 18 points to open the lead to 60-40 with 14:47 remaining. Fairfield managed to come as close at 15 points on a couple of occasions but Siena answered with quick runs that enabled the home team to regain its 20-point edge.

                Gilbert added another 20-point performance to his season totals, netting a team-high 24 points. The senior made seven of 17 shots from the floor and four of nine from behind the arc.

                Tyler Nelson posted 17 points to back up Gilbert's performance while Curtis Cobb 11 points, all of which came in the second half. The Stags only turned the ball over seven times and forced Siena into 14 miscues, eight of which came off steals. Cobb picked up three of those steals and added three assists without a turnover.

Brett Bisping tallied a career-best 28 points for Siena, while Lavon Long recorded a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Siena enjoyed a 50-28 advantage on the boards including 14 offensive rebounds that it converted into 22 points.

                Fairfield finishes its two-game road trip by heading to Rider University on Saturday night, a game which will finish up the season series with the Broncs. The Stags won the first meeting with Rider by a 74-70 margin at Webster Bank Arena. After the Rider game, Fairfield returns home for a match up with Monmouth University with game time set for 7 pm.