FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Curtis Cobb scored a game-high 23 points while Marcus Gilbert added 22 points to lead the Fairfield University men's basketball team to its fifth straight win, a 71-59 decision at Niagara. The winning streak is the longest current run in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and pushed the Stags' road record above .500 at 7-6.

                The Stags entered the game as one of the most improved teams in the nation, entering the game tied for fourth for that distinction. With this win, Fairfield has 10 more wins than last year which could help them move up a notch depending on action today.

                Fairfield took advantage of its quickness and agility around the basket, attacking the interior often. And when the shot was not available, the ball was kicked out to waiting shooters who found their stroke from three-point range early. Gilbert put Fairfield ahead on the first possession with a three-point field goal, before Niagara responded with back-to-back layups to take its first lead at 4-3.

                Still trailing by a point at 6-5, the Stags began to work their way back around the basket and eventually tied the game at 8-8 and 10-10. On the last tied score, Fairfield used a 20-0 run to take complete control of the game, running the score to 30-10 with 6:59 left in the half. Milin had eight points during that run, coming off the bench to score 11 first-half points in just seven minutes of work.

                Niagara came back with a 15-5 stretch over the final seven minutes of work to cut the lead in half by the half, pulling within 35-25 by the time the buzzer sounded.

                The Stags were more aggressive from long range at the start of the second half. After making five three pointers in the first, the Stags came out with three shots from behind the arc in the first four minutes of the second half including a pair from Gilbert that pushed the Fairfield lead up to 16 points, 46-30. Cobb came back on the next possession and posted a layup to make it an 18-point advantage with 15 minutes remaining.

                But just as they had in the first half, the Purple Eagles put together a long run of points while keeping the Stags offense off-balance which resulted in a 22-9 run that brought the home team within five points at 57-52. Cameron Fowler started Niagara's comeback with seven straight points, using a layup, a dunk and three pointer to bring Niagara within nine points.

At the start of that run, Coleman Johnson, who enjoyed another multiple block game, picked up his third foul with 10:05 left. After his departure, Niagara started having more success inside which helped the Purple Eagles during their run. But the Stags used their own ability to attack the interior, especially Gilbert and Cobb.

With the Stags up by five points, Gilbert went to the basket and stopped a 12-point run by Niagara and increased the lead to seven points, 59-52. Nelson followed by making both ends of a one-and-one to secure a nine point lead. After a free throw by Niagara, Gilbert went back to the rack for another layup and regained Fairfield's double-digit lead at 63-53.

The Purple Eagles managed to pull within eight points one more time at 67-59 with a minute remaining, Cobb made four straight free throws to close out the game and give Fairfield the win.