FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The schedule sends the Fairfield University men's basketball team on a rare road trip this month as the Stags head to Manhattan College for a Thursday night match up with the Jaspers. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3 beginning at 8 pm. The game is one of only three road games for the Stags in January with the team playing six times at Webster Bank Arena this month.
This game will feature another New York-based opponent for the Stags, coming off a home game with Iona College on January 2. Fairfield hosts two more Empire State schools at home next week, beginning with Canisius College on February 10 and finishing up with Siena College on February 15.
Manhattan dropped an overtime game to Marist by a 90-88 count, giving the team a 5-9 overall record and an 0-3 MAAC mark. The close result was nothing new for Manhattan, as it played its fifth game that was decided by three points or less. Unfortunately, the Jaspers are 1-4 in those contests, including a 1-2 mark in overtime. Manhattan defeated Detroit-Mercy by an 84-81 count for the team's only victory in games decided by three points or less.
Before the Marist decision, the Jaspers won three of four outings including two straight against St. Francis Brooklyn (61-54) and Eastern Kentucky (81-54). The Jaspers will play their second MAAC home game of the season, falling to Canisius by a 77-76 count in the MAAC opener. Manhattan, which leads the MAAC in rebounding margin, enjoyed a 51-39 advantage on the boards against Marist which led to a 24-6 edge in second-chance points. Zane Waterman just missed a double-double with his 17 points and nine rebounds. Calvin Crawford led all Manhattan scorers with 18 points.
Zavier Turner, who netted eight points at Marist, leads the team in scoring with 16.4 points per game. Waterman is next in line with 11.2 points per game, and leads the squad with a 7.4 rebounding average.
The Stags continued to have success at home this season, improving to 3-1 in home games following its 93-87 win over Iona. Fairfield will play its eighth road game of the season on Thursday, posting three wins in its first seven away dates.
Fairfield led for nearly the entire game against Iona, holding the advantage for just over 37 minutes. The Gaels led twice at 2-0 and 82-81, the latter coming with 2:37 remaining. Jerome Segura scored on the next possession and gave Fairfield the lead for good. Matija Milin scored a career-high 21 points while Curtis Cobb led all Fairfield scorers with 22 points. Fairfield used the long-range shot to beat the Gaels, netting a season-high 14 three pointers in 34 attempts, led by Cobb and Tyler Nelson with four three-point field goals each.
Nelson leads the Stags in scoring with 20.0 points per game, one of three Fairfield student-athletes in double figures. Cobb (14.8 ppg) and Jerry Johnson Jr. (11.8 ppg) also carry that distinction.
