BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – You could take the storylines from today's game, write them on post-it notes, stick them to the wall, and throw a dart at the group. And where ever the dart landed would be an appropriate way to tell the story of the Fairfield University men's basketball 102-98 double-overtime win over Quinnipiac University this afternoon.

                For example, Tyler Nelson overcame a sluggish first half to score 27 of his 32 points after halftime, including his 2,007^th career point to become the school's career scoring leader. Or, you could choose Jonathan Kasibabu's career-high 22 points and 15 rebounds performance after he missed the last game because of illness. There is also Jesus Cruz's play which included 10 points, six rebounds, and three steals, the last of which set up Nelson for what would be the Stags final basket of the afternoon and put the Stags in position to secure the win. Oh, and then there's the 200 combined points scored in today's game, including individual performances of 40 points by Quinnipiac's Rich Kelly, Nelson's 32 points, and the Bobcats' Cameron Young's 31 points.

                Regardless of your choice, the result was that the Stags improved their position in their quest to breech the top five in the MAAC standings which would avoid a first-round game in the upcoming conference tournament. And for Nelson, today's game provided highlights that will be etched in memory for a lifetime.

                "I had a lot of family and friends at the game today so it was special to break the record in front of them," Nelson said. "When I chose to come to Fairfield, I didn't think about records. I just wanted to come to a school where I could play. It's really special to think that my career has turned out the way it has. But I'm not done yet."

                While Nelson isn't done yet, neither are the Stags With today's win, Fairfield is just a half game back of fifth-place Manhattan, a spot coveted by all because it carries a bye to the MAAC tournament quarterfinals, translating into a three-game run to the conference title rather than a four-game run for team's sixth place and below.

                Fairfield trailed by 14 points with 12 minutes remaining in the second half before the team began to turn momentum back to their favor. Jonathan Kasibabu stepped up and started Fairfield's rally despite still feeling the effects of being sick.

                "Honestly, I just had to look around and see how the guys were giving so much effort," Kasibabu said. "Guys were diving on the floor, guys were putting their bodies out there by getting charges and getting rebounds. I had to give everything I had on the court too and the coaches trusted me enough to keep me in the game. At first it was hard because I needed to get my breath and get back in the flow after missing last game."

                 Kasibabu found the flow just when his team needed him the most as he started the Stags' come back with a three pointer and a layup to start off an 11-0 run that brought the deficit down to three points, 58-55. 

                "We had two choices," Kasibabu said. "We could have let Quinnipiac lead by 20 or get five stops in a row and get back in the game. We chose to get back in the game. We defended, we got rebounds and we got back in the game. That was a team effort and I'm really proud of the guys for how they played."

                Fairfield would eventually grab the led off Nelson's three-point shot but Kelly responded with a traditional three-point play to bring the visitors back in front, 65-63.There would be several more lead changes and five tied scores over the final five minutes of regulation before the Stags seemed settled with a three=point lead after Nelson's two free throws made the score 84-81 with 14 seconds left. Kelly found magic once again and tied the game with a three pointer from the top of the key with three seconds remaining, tying the score at 84-84.

                Fairfield scored the first four points of the first overtime off a three-point shot and one of two free throws from Ferron Flavors Jr. The Bobcats rallied for seven straight points take a 91-88 advantage, the first five of which came from Kelly. Lay ups from Kasibabu and Jesus Cruz pushed the Stags in the lead with 22 seconds left before Cameron Young was fouled taking a three-point shot. He made one of three free throws which tied the game at 92-92 with nine seconds remaining. Nelson tried a long shot at the buzzer but the ball did not fall through the hoop, sending the game into a second overtime.

                Quinnipiac held an early lead in the second overtime, the last of which was 95-94 with 3:47 on the clock. Flavors Jr. took a three-point shot but was fouled on the attempt, setting up his three free throws which would give the Stags a 97-95 edge. Kelly gave the Bobcats one more lead with his three pointer at the 2:35 mark, but Flavors Jr. put the Stags in the lead for good with a corner jumper, making the score 99-98 with two minutes left.

                Cruz stole the ball at midcourt and fed Nelson breaking to the hoop which resulted in a layup as well as a 101-98 lead for the Stags. Kasibabu iced the game when he was fouled while rebounding a missed Quinnipiac free throw and sank one of two shot to put the game out of reach.

                "I can't speak enough to the mental toughness that is growing and emerging in that locker room," Head Coach Sydney Johnson said. "And part of that toughness is coming from guys who have not been through it before this year.  But to take a lead, lose it, take the lead, lose it and take the lead again shows that this team does not want to lose. And, it shows this team knows how to win and that's very important."

                While Johnson was happy with the play of his newcomers, he also knows the importance of his upperclassmen and the role that they play on this team's culture.
                "Jonathan was a man child today but that's the type of season he has had all season," Johnson said. "He's really matured this year and has been consistent as the heart and soul of the team. He told me 'Coach I'll let you know when I'm tired' and thankful he never said he wanted to come out so we just rolled with it. Tyler now has scored the most points in school history so I don't know if I need to add any words to that. But the growth of his game is remarkable. He was a catch-and-shoot guy as a freshman but now takes guys off the dribble and he is a playmaker. I'm just so pleased with his coaching on the floor and his work ethic."

                Flavors Jr. finished the game with 19 points and six rebounds in his 43 minutes of action. Quinnipiac's Cameron Young netted 31 points and nine rebounds to help the Quinnipiac cause.

                Fairfield will play its final road game of the regular season on Wednesday when it heads to the Times Union Center for a match up with Siena College. Game time is 7 pm.