SEATTLE, Wash. – Yesterday, Head Coach
Sydney Johnson stated that this edition of the Fairfield University men's basketball team needed its room to grow. One day later, the Stags appeared to take a step in that direction as they held off a late charge by the University of Denver and posted an 86-85 win on the final day of the Elgin Baylor Classic.
"I think for today we made progress but we need to stay in the moment," Coach Johnson said. "I knew we were close. I know they are playing their guts out. And I know we'll probably have a few more games like this as we continue to learn and grow. But as you can see, from game one to game two to game three, they are giving us everything they've got. And, I'll take it because we can build on that and turn their effort into wins."
Fairfield led by as many as 17 points against Denver mainly by executing offense and making shots that were created off that execution. The result was a season-high 46 first-half points, most of which came from behind the three-point line. Junior
Landon Taliaferro continued his long-range shooting by adding four more three pointers to raise his season total to 29.
"Landon was really an important recruit for us," Coach Johnson said. "He's an older guy and is very comfortable and understands what he can do well. I don't think his impact can be underestimated considering our youth. He is confident and a great teammate who knows how to play with others on the court. We have been able to slide him into our style of play especially with three-point shooting."
Taliaferro has some assistance from behind the line as six student-athletes netted points from behind the arc this afternoon.
Felix Lemetti was responsible for four of the team's 13 three pointers, the last of which put the Stags in the position to hold on for the win. With the team leading 83-80 in the closing seconds, Lemetti tossed up a long three-pointer that touched nothing but net to double the Stags advantage, 86-80, with 18 seconds remaining.
Denver managed to score five straight points to come within a point with five seconds on the clock at 86-85, the last of which was a three-point field from Denver's top scorer Ronnie Harrell Jr. After the Stags came up empty on a one-and-one situation with four seconds remaining, Harrell Jr. grabbed the ball and made a long three-point try which fell off the mark and allowed Fairfield to earn its second win of the campaign.
But the fact that the Stags were able to overcome a furious comeback bid by Denver illustrates Coach Johnson's point of growth. Fairfield had several chances to fold but would have none of it. Rather, the Stags fought back and regained the lead when Denver thought its come-from-behind effort was safely in hand.
After leading the game for 35 minutes, Denver took its first lead when Harrell Jr. connected on three free throws after being fouled 22 feet from the basket, pushing his squad in front, 74-73, with four minutes remaining in the game.
Jonathan Kasibabu, who had to deal with foul trouble for the second straight game, responded with a pair of points that regained the Fairfield edge.
Denver took its biggest lead of the game at 80-77 after Elvin Rodriguez made a corner jumper with just under three minutes remaining. Taliaferro stepped up and scored four straight points to recapture the lead at 81-80 with 1:39 showing on the clock.
Neftali Alvarez added a layup and Lemetti made his three-point shot to cap the 7-0 run that pretty much sealed the victory.
The win was a much needed result for the scrappy Stags who played three games that were decided by a combined six points. So not only did Fairfield play three games in three days, but the team played to a two-point loss against Longwood, a three-point loss to host Seattle University, and today's one-point win over Denver. The multiple team event (MTE) provided Fairfield with a glimpse of what it would face come March when the MAAC Tournament rolls around, an important experience for a team with so many first-year players.
"That's why we play these MTEs because it's exactly like the MAAC Tournament format," Coach Johnson said. "People have no idea of the preparation that goes into playing this type of format. There is an immense amount of preparation that these kids have to do and then they have to go out and perform and do it at a high level. So to have these close games with a young team that's finding their way to winning, it's really exciting for me and I know the guys are thrilled in the locker room."
Fairfield will have a full week to enjoy today's thrilling win and to recover from this three-game trip to the West Coast before having to return to action at Army West Point on Saturday, December 1.
