RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Energy and enthusiasm. Two words that Head Coach Sydney Johnson used to describe the performance of Jonathan Kasibabu, a member of what Johnson calls the Big Four. Tonight, he proved exactly why he is included in that foursome along with Tyler Nelson, Jerome Segura, and Matija Milin.

                With Manhattan threatening to take control of the game, Kasibabu rattled the backboard and brought the fans to their feet with three monstrous dunks in a matter of 90 seconds that reenergized the Stags, the last of which would give the Fairfield University men's basketball its final lead of the game at the 11:54 mark of the second half.

                But in the end, Manhattan had just a little bit more left in the tank and was able to squeak out a 61-58 decision over the Stags at Draddy Gymnasium. Fairfield had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, but a long three-point try fell off the rim to end the game.

                Still, Kasibabu showed how he can dominate a game, a trend that Johnson hopes will continue over the remaining weeks of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference season. The forward finished the night with a double-double, registering 14 points and a season-best 13 rebounds. But it was those dunks that truly showed the junior's agility and ability to go to the basket and finish shots regardless of who defends him.

                "Jon was spectacular with some strong finishes at the rim tonight," Johnson said. "It was awesome to see him play so inspired. He gave us a lot of second opportunities tonight. Energy and enthusiasm are the two words we use to describe Jonathan and he showed why those words fit him tonight. We are going to ride him and the Big Four because they are really good for us and position us to be a good team this year."

                For the second straight game, the Stags defense showed up in force and kept the opposition frustrated and off balance. Fairfield has allowed 61 points in both of its conference games this season, something to which Johnson points when describing how this team will define itself this year.

                "I tell anybody who will listen that we are good defensive team with a lot of length, a lot of athleticism, and a lot of heart," Johnson said. "I don't know what the adjectives people use to describe Fairfield basketball, but for me we are tough and we can be as good defensively as any other team. But we have to earn it and show it every time we are out there. And, we need to answer the bell the next time we get on the court."

                With the exception of a couple of minutes early in the second half, the Stags seemed to answer that defensive call. But it was during that few minutes that Manhattan was able to score 10 unanswered points that was pivotal in the Jaspers earning the win, a run that turned a 34-28 Fairfield lead into a 38-34 advantage.

                The Stags would fight back and take the lead once again off of one of Kasibabu's dunks that made the score 43-42 with 11:54 left in the second half. Jesus Cruz tacked on a pair of points with a jumper that saw the Stags' lead improve to 45-42. Four straight points by the Jaspers erased that three-point deficit, before Kevin Senghore-Peterson made a pair of free throws to give the Stags their final lead of the game at 47-46 at the 9:27 mark.

                Manhattan answered by scoring 10 of the next 12 points scored to grab its biggest lead of the game at 56-49 with just under four minutes remaining. Tyler Nelson stepped up to help Fairfield make a run that put the visitors right back in the game, scoring five straight points during a 7-1 run that brought the score to 57-56 with 1:09 on the clock.

                The Jaspers wrapped four free throws around a Kasibabu layup to push the lead to three points at 61-58, setting up the desperation three point try at the buzzer that fell short.

                Nelson finished the game with a team-high 15 points while Milin and Ferron Flavors Jr. added nine points to the Stags cause. Pauly Paulicap paced Manhattan with 16 points and nine rebounds.

                Fairfield will continue its three-game road trip next weekend when it travels to Rider University on January 5 before heading to Iona College on January 7.