FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University men's basketball team will continue its home stand by hosting Siena College on Thursday night at Webster Bank Arena. The game is scheduled for a 7 pm tip and is slated for broadcast on ESPN+.
The Stags come off a 74-68 setback to Canisius College, ending a run of back-to-back home wins for the Stags.
Jesus Cruz posted 21 points in the loss, his second 20-point performance in the last three games. The sophomore netted nine of 14 shots and also grabbed six rebounds in the game.
Jonathan Kasibabu recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 16 points and 13 rebounds. The senior had missed a double-double by a rebound against Saint Peter's (17 points) and Monmouth (10 points) in recent games.
Landon Taliaferro netted his 60th three-point field goal in the Canisius game, staking his per game average to 3.15 three pointers per outing. For the first time this season, the Stags have four players averaging better than 10 points per game, namely Taliaferro (12.5 ppg),
Neftali Alvarez (12.1 ppg), Kasibabu (11.7 ppg), and Cruz (10.2 ppg). Fairfield enters this game tied for 38th in three pointers made (176), tied for 48th in three pointers made per game (9.3), and 67th in three-point field goal percentage (.370) .
Landon Taliaferro places 21st in the nation with his .444 three-point field goal percentage, ranked 27th in total three-point field goals made (60), and tied for 35th in three pointers per game (3.16).
Jonathan Kasibabu leads the MAAC in overall scoring and field goal percentage as well as conference scoring and field goal percentage. The senior made five of six field goal attempts against Canisius, which raised his field goal percentage to .588 in overall games and .694 in MAAC contests. Kasibabu is posting 8.2 rebounds per game through 19 games and 9.9 caroms per contest through seven MAAC games.
The Saints return to the hardwood after a one-week hiatus, last playing on January 17 which ended with a 66-57 victory over Niagara in Albany. Siena received great support from its reserves last Thursday as Kadeem Smithen came off the bench to score a season-high 13 points with 12 of those markers coming in the first 20 minutes. Manny Camper also helped out the reserves with six points and a personal-best 11 rebounds. Plus, the Saints received another terrific outing from freshman Jalen Pickett, who earned his fourth straight MAAC Rookie of the Week award for his 17-point, seven-assist performance against the Purple Eagles. Leading by eight points midway through the second half, Siena used a 14-2 run that raised the lead to 20 points with seven minutes remaining.
Game Day Promotions
City of Bridgeport Appreciation Day: Discounted tickets for Bridgeport residents. Adults must present a valid driver's license, government-issued ID or other proof of residence. Children accompanied by an adult resident do not need to provide proof of residence.
Free Student Shuttle: A free shuttle will run between Alumni Hall and Webster Bank Arena beginning at 6 p.m. through the end of the game.
Evan Fisher paces the Siena offense with a 16.6 scoring average, a number which places him sixth among the conference scoring leaders. Pickett is the team's other double-digit scorer, posting 14.8 points every forty minutes. He is also the team's leader in assists with 131, more than the rest of the team combined (102). Fisher represents the team's top rebounder as well, catching 6.8 caroms per contest.
