NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Five players reached double figures and the Fairfield University men's basketball team made 16 three pointers but the Stags could not overcome a late second-half run by Iona College as the Stags fell to the Gaels, 94-87.

                Felix Lemetti was responsible for six of the team's three pointers, netting three in each half. The Stags were nearly untouchable in the opening 20 minutes, shooting 54 percent from the floor and 56 percent from three-point range. Landon Taliaferro, fresh off his eight three pointers two days ago, also connected three times from behind the arc in the first half.

                With their accuracy, Fairfield was in control from the opening tap as Neftali Alvarez started things off with a three-point field goal on the first possession. It was the first of nine shots from long range and those field goals would allow the visitors to build a double-digit lead just seven minutes into contest. Wassef Methnani's layup provided the points, making the score 22-12, with 12:15 left in the half.

                The lead would hover around the 10-point mark until the Gaels scored six straight points in the closing minutes that turned a 39-29 lead into a 39-35 advantage. The Stags closed out the half with a 12-4 spurt that pushed the lead back to double figures and sent the team into the locker room with a 51-39 edge.

                Fairfield still held its advantage five minutes into the second half, 64-52, until Iona found their offensive rhythm. The Gaels outscored the Stags by a 16-3 margin over the next five minutes and took the lead for the first time in the second half after Rickey McGill's layup made the score 68-67. Iona tacked on five more points to secure a six-point advantage after another McGill basket.

                The Stags rallied to tie the game when Jonathan Kasibabu found an open lane to the basket and finished with a dunk, equaling the score at 73-73 with eight minutes remaining. Fairfield took back the lead after Alvarez's layup brought the score to 78-75 at the 4:34 mark. The Stags were still in front at 82-81 before Iona strung together seven straight points with seconds remaining in the game.

                Fairfield's starting five all reached double figures in the game, led by Lemetti's career-best 18 points. Jesus Cruz earned a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds while Taliaferro (17 points), Kasibabu (14 points), and Alvarez (12 points) also hit double figures.

                Tajuan Agee also completed a double-double for the Gaels with a game-high 23 points and 10 caroms.

                Fairfield will play its third game in five days when it hosts Niagara University at Alumni Hall on Monday night. Game time is slated for 7 pm.