Men's Basketball Welcomes Siena To Webster Bank Arena Monday

Tickets
Watch
Listen
Live Stats
Game Notes

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- After a buzzer-beating win at Monmouth on Friday, the Fairfield University men's basketball team will return to Webster Bank Arena on Monday night for a match up with Siena College, the first of two meetings with the Saints this month. The game is slated for a 7 pm start on ESPN3.

The Stags won for the second time in as many outings with its 79-78 decision over Monmouth, a game that was decided on Jesus Cruz's shot with two seconds left in regulation. Fairfield trailed by eight points at the half, but Tyler Nelson opened the second half with nine straight points, all from behind the three-point arc, to put his team back on track. The game featured eight tied scores and 11 lead changes including four lead changes in the final two minutes. Ferron Flavors Jr. made a three-point field goal to put Fairfield in front with 90 seconds left in the game, but Zac Tillman's dunk pushed Monmouth back in front with nine seconds remaining. Cruz was sprung around midcourt following a pass from Aidas Kavaliauskas and the freshman drove to the basket for the game-winning points. Cruz finished the game with 13 points and a pair of steals. Tyler Nelson led all scorers in the game with 26 points, 16 of which came in the second half. Jonathan Kasibabu just missed a double-double with nine points and a team-bet nine rebounds.

The win was Fairfield's first conference road win and second away victory overall. With his performance on Friday, Nelson pushed his season scoring average to 21.5 points per game, one of two Stags in double figures. Ferron Flavor Jr.also has that distinction with an 11.6 scoring average. Cruz pushed his MAAC scoring average to 10.5 points per game, trailing Nelson (22.1 ppg) and Flavors Jr. (11.6 ppg). Nelson remains the top scorer in the MAAC, one of three MAAC student-athletes averaging better than 20 points per game. , He holds a slight edge of Niagara's duo of Khalil Dukes (20.6 ppg) and Matt Scott (20.5 ppg). Nelson can hit two more milestones on Monday night, needing six three-point field goals to become the all-time leader at Fairfield by surpassing Derek Needham's mark of 281. He also can move into second place on Fairfield's all-time scoring list, needing three more markers to eclipse Joe DeSantis '79 who scored 1,916 points.

The Saints dropped a 51-47 decision to Manhattan at home on Friday night, ending the team's three-game home winning streak. Siena led for the first 28 minutes of the game and enjoyed a nine-point halftime advantage before Manhattan was able to rally with a 12-2 run that put the Jaspers in the lead 40-39 with 11 minutes remaining. While Siena regained the lead at 45-42, Manhattan closed out the game by scoring nine of the last 11 points to record the win. Guard Kadeem Smithen paced Siena with a career-high 18 points. Prince Oduro grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds to aid the Saints' cause.

Roman Penn paces the Siena offense with 9.7 points per game while Ahsante Shivers is next in line at 9.0 points every forty minutes. Oduro and Penn are also the team's top rebounders with 4.9 per game.

Gameday Promotions

Photos with Lucas the Stag: Lucas will be on the concourse for pregame photos beginning at 6 p.m.

MAAC Traveling Trophy: Take a photo with the 2018 MAAC Basketball Championship Trophy

Lyft Discount: Get a $5 discount on Lyft rides from campus to Webster Bank Arena. Click here for more info

Student Shuttle: A free student shuttle will run from the Barone Campus Center traffic circle to Webster Bank Arena beginning at 6 p.m. through the end of the game.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#13 Jonathan Kasibabu: F; 6' 8"; Junior

#5 Aidas Kavaliauskas: G; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#3 Tyler Nelson: G; 6' 3"; Senior

#23 Ferron Flavors Jr.: G; 6' 4"; Sophomore

#24 Jesus Cruz: G; 6' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#13 Jonathan Kasibabu
: 6' 8"; Junior
: F

#5 Aidas Kavaliauskas
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: G

#3 Tyler Nelson
: 6' 3"; Senior
: G

#23 Ferron Flavors Jr.
: 6' 4"; Sophomore
: G

#24 Jesus Cruz
: 6' 5"; Freshman
: G