FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- A lot has happened since the Fairfield University men's basketball team played a home game. The Stags embarked on a six-game marathon that lasted nearly a month since hosting the University of Massachusetts on November 9 at Webster Bank Arena. A win over an SEC program, a school record for three-point shooting, and victory in overtime are some of the highlights from the team's four-week run on the road.

Now, Head Coach Jay Young and his team are ready to play a home game on campus as the Stags will welcome the College of William & Mary on Sunday, December 8 at Alumni Hall. The game is scheduled for a 2 pm tip. And make sure you don't miss this game because another month will go by before Fairfield returns to the state of Connecticut for a game. After the William & Mary game, the Stags will play games at Oakland University (Michigan) and Wagner College before heading to upstate New York for a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) weekend against Niagara (January 3) and Canisius (January 5). The Stags' next home game stands on January 8 against Marist College at Webster Bank Arena.

Fairfield comes off a three-game stint in Florida, participating in the Orlando Invitational where  the team went 1-2. Landon Taliaferro averaged 20 points during his three-game run in the Sunshine State which included a 34-point effort in a win over Texas A&M. For his three-game run, Taliaferro was named the MAAC Player of the Week.

With his effort, the senior took over the team scoring lead by raising his contribution to 16.5 points per game. He made 14 three pointers over the three contests in Orlando, shooting 45 percent from behind the arc (14 of 31). Taliaferro set the school standard with 10 three-point field goals in the win over Texas A&M, surpassing the previous high of nine three pointers set by Curtis Cobb in 2017 (at Manhattan) and Mike Evanovich in 2010 (at George Mason).

Jesus Cruz was the only other double digit scorer over the three games in Orlando, posting 10.0 points every forty minutes. He also contributed 6.3 rebounds per game which was second to graduate student Vincent Eze who secured 8.3 rebounds every forty minutes. Eze currently averages five rebounds per game, just behind Cruz's and Taj Benning's team-best 5.1 rebounds per contest. Fairfield enjoyed a slight rebounding average in the three games (29.7 per game for a +0.7), highlighted by its +9 in the Texas A&M game (30 to 21).

 The Tribe won for the second time in their last five games after starting the season with four straight victories. In its last outing, William & Mary used a 22-5 run midway through the second half to beat Old Dominion by a 63-46 count. Nathan Knight posted a double-double in the victory with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Andy Van Vliet (13 points), Luke Loewe (12 points), and Bryce Barnes (11 points) also reached double figures in the win. 

The team has four double-digit scorers for the season, led by Knight who is netting 20.3 points per game. With his .569 shooting percentage,  Knight ranks 36th in the nation for scoring average, helping his team rate 41st in the nation for field goal percentage (.482). He completes his season double-double with 10.2 rebounds per contest, averaging a CAA best 9.0 defensive rebounds per game. 

Van Vliet (14.1 ppg), Thornton Scott (12.8 ppg), and Loewe (12.1 ppg) represent the other members of the team who are averaging better than 10 points per contest.  Van Vliet is also near a double-double season average, securing 9.0 rebounds per game. Barnes serves as the team's primary play maker with 44 assists in his nine starts.
    
Following today's game, William & Mary will return home for a date with Goucher College on  December 15 before returning to the road for a game at Saint Joseph's University on December 19.

Promotions for William & Mary Game
Sponsored by The Sinclair and Verizon
 
Teddy Bears with Love: All fans are encouraged to bring a new, unused teddy bear or stuffed animal for the Teddy Bear Toss to be donated to a local children's hospital or charity. Fans who wish to participate but cannot attend can contact Alumni Relations at alumni@fairfield.edu for more information about Teddy Bears with Love.
 
Hot Cocoa Mug Giveaway: The first 400 fans in attendance will receive a Fairfield hot cocoa mug.
 
Sunday Shootaround: All children are invited to a post-game shoot around on the court at Alumni Hall with the Stags.