Box Score
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Progress can be measured so many different ways. But whichever way you choose, one can certainly see the progress made by the Fairfield University men's basketball over the last couple of games.
After knocking off Niagara three days ago by a 104-85 margin, the Stags matched up with Rider University tonight at Webster Bank Arena. This was the same Rider team that posted a 96-77 win over the Stags just two weeks ago. But tonight, Fairfield showed just how much it has progressed, especially with the few lineup tweaks put forth by Head Coach
Sydney Johnson in recent games.
Despite falling to Rider by a 90-88 score, there is no question that the Stags appear poised to make a midseason run with its new look lineup. Adding
Aidas Kavaliauskas and returning
Jesus Cruz to the starting five has certainly provided some challenges to the opposition as the Stags have tallied 192 points in the last two games.
"Offensively we were so much better and are in such a better flow these last three games," Head Coach
Sydney Johnson said. "So I think we are sharing the balls better and cutting down on our turnovers. We are in attack mode and the ball seems to be moving around better. Aidas is certainly been a reason for that movement. Getting Jesus, Tyler, and Ferron out there at the same time is a good look for us.
Tonight's game featured 12 lead changes and 11 tied scores including five changes that took place over the final 10 minutes of action. But it was the final four minutes of the game provided thrills and chills for fans of both teams.
Fairfield led by six points with 3:47 remaining in the game following
Aidas Kavaliauskas' layup which pushed the score to 88-82. Dimencio Vaughn answered the Stags layup with one of his own that started an 8-0 run for Rider which closed out the game. After Vaughn's layup, Frederick Scott put another two points on the scoreboard with a dunk that made the score 88-86 with 2:32 remaining.
The Broncs would tie the score on their next possession, courtesy of Stevie Jordan's jumper which created the 11
th tie score in this game, sending the two times into the final minute at 88-88. The Stags had two chances to take the lead, beginning with a three-point try by Kavaliauskas. But a Rider turnover gave the ball right back to Fairfield, setting up another offensive possession.
Tyler Nelson missed a jumper which sent the ball back to Rider with 40 seconds on the clock.
Vaughn took a potential game-winner and missed, but Tyere Marshall grabbed the offensive rebound and fed Vaughn again. The forward missed another shot but managed to secure the rebound and his tip in fell through the basket with eight seconds remaining.
Trailing 90-88, Fairfield had a chance to tie the game when Nelson was fouled with one second left in regulation. The guard missed the first free throw, forcing him to purposely miss the second attempt for one last hope. Vaughn collected the missed free throw as time expired to give the win to Rider. The missed shots by Nelson ended his streak of 34 consecutive made free throws.
Vaught paced the Rider offense with 20 points and added 13 rebounds, while Jordan Allen was right behind him with 19 points. Nelson led all Fairfield scorers with 24 points and completed his double-double with 11 rebounds.
Jesus Cruz,
Wassef Methnani, and Flavors Jr. each contributed 14 points to the Fairfield cause.
"I love the supporting cast," Johnson said. "Jesus is such a mature kid. He looks game ready. He's not too high, not too low. Wassef gave us good minutes off the bench as well. We looked game ready at a team which all comes from our preparation in practice."
Fairfield will head to the Nassau Coliseum on Saturday afternoon to play the first game of a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) tripleheader. The Stags will take on Quinnipiac University at 1 pm, followed by Marist and Monmouth at 4 pm and Iona versus Manhattan at 7 pm.
