DAYTON, Ohio -- With a softer bounce, the Fairfield University men's basketball team might have pulled off an incredible comeback, one that would have erased a 14-point second-half deficit. But the ball struck the front rim, knocked off the back rim, and fell off the front rim once again, resulting in Wright State University's 57-56 decision over Fairfield University at the Nutter Center.

Fairfield made this comeback with four newcomers and Jonathan Kasibabu on the court and the combination worked well over the final minutes. After Grant Benzinger's three pointer pushed the lead to 14 points at 47-33 with 13:05 remaining, the Stags began to whittle away as Ferron Flavors Jr. netted a three-point field goal that made it 47-36. Tyler Nelson brought the deficit to a single digit with a jumper that dropped the deficit to nine points. 

The Raiders used a 6-2 spurt to regain a double-digit lead with 8:45 on the clock, but it was at that point when Fairfield took over the game. Kasibabu converted a pair of free throws to bring the score to 53-42, which quickly became 53-45 when Jesus Cruz connected on a shot from beyond the arc. After a defensive stop, Cruz followed with another jumper which made it a two-possession game at 53-47.

Flavors Jr., who continues to show a knack for making big three pointers, posted a long-range jumper that brought the Stags within three points at 53-50. Everett Winchester halted the Stags' momentum momentarily with a pair of free throws, but Cruz stepped up with a clutch three pointer which made the score 55-53 with 2:42 remaining.

On Wright State's next possession, the Raiders were granted a timeout in the corner of the court while the player was falling out of bounds. After the stoppage, Justin Mitchell was able to get to the basket and provide a four-point lead. Flavors Jr. once again stepped up with an NBA-range three pointer which cut the deficit to 57-56. The Stags defense shut down the inbounds pass and a five-second call was whistled by the official, giving Fairfield the ball under its basket with 6.5 seconds to go.

Cruz took the inbounds pass from Milin and was quickly double teamed, but kept his composure long enough to find Flavors Jr. on the wing. The sophomore took the shot that seemed on target, but the ball bounced around the rim a couple of times and fell out, securing the win for the home team.

Cruz led all scorers with 15 points while Flavors Jr. added 14 points off the bench for Fairfield. Mitchell was the top scorer for Wright State, netting 21 points and securing eight rebounds.

The Stags return to action on Friday, December 1st when they travel to Wagner University for a 7 p.m. game.