BRIDGEPORT, Conn. –Five players scored in double figures but it was not enough for the Fairfield University men's basketball team to overcome LIU Brooklyn as the Blackbirds edged the Stags by an 89-87 score at Webster Bank Arena.

                LIU Brooklyn witnessed four of its players tally 10 or more points, highlighted by Raiquan Clark's game-high 33 points including a basket with one second left in regulation that provided the visitors with their winning margin.

                The Stags trailed by as many 13 points in the second half as Clark's three-point play pushed the Blackbirds in front 59-46 with 17 minutes left in the game. Fairfield made several runs at LIU Brooklyn, coming within a possession on four occasions only to see the visitors make a run to take back control of the game.

                The Stags trailed by nine points, 82-73, with five minutes remaining in the game before they were able to muster one more run at the Blackbirds. Taj Benning started a 12-2 run with a layup which Jesus Cruz followed with a two pairs of free throws that cut the lead to one possession at 82-79 with 3:28 on the clock. Clark made one of two free throws to get one point of the lead back for LIU Brooklyn before Landon Taliaferro netted a three pointer to pull the Stags within a point at 83-82.

                Jonathan Kasibabu completed the come back with a three-point play at the 1:46 mark that gave Fairfield its first lead of the game at 85-83. Julian Batts made one of two free throws for LIU Brooklyn to cut the lead to two points before Clark made his three pointer with one second on the clock.

                Ty Flowers scored 23 points in support of Clark, making six of seven three-point field goals and eight of 11 overall from the floor. Cruz came off the bench to lead all Fairfield scorers with 17 points in addition to registering nine rebounds and seven assists. Matija Milin contributed 16 points as a reserve as well while Taliaferro led all Fairfield starters with 15 points.

                "This was a winnable game against a very good team so I want to credit this team's poise," Head Coach Sydney Johnson said. "They were up on us by 13 points and we came back to take the lead on them. We didn't break and if we can continue to do that, we will be a tough out later in the season."

                Cruz came off the bench to lead all Fairfield scorers with 17 points in addition to his nine rebounds and seven assists. The sophomore is averaging 9.7 points as a reserve this season, reaching double figures in each of the last two games.

                "It doesn't make a difference if I come off the bench or start a game," Cruz said. "I am available to the team and I want to contribute regardless of how I get into the game. I just take advantage of the situation and play to the best of my ability whenever coach calls my name."

                Several other Stags just missed a double double tonight, including Kasibabu who netted nine points and added 10 rebounds to the cause. Matija Milin added 16 points as a reserve while Taliaferro posted 15 points, all coming from behind the arc. Neftali Alvarez reached double digits for the third straight game with 12 points. Taj Benning posted a career-high 12 points with 10 coming in the first half.

                "Taj was really good tonight but it hurt us when he picked up his second foul in the first half," Coach Johnson said. "His play over the last two games has been really, really good for us."

                Fairfield will return to the hardwood on Saturday when they host Wagner College at Webster Bank Arena. Game time is scheduled for 1 pm.