FAIRFIELD, Conn. – For 40 minutes, the Fairfield University men's basketball team displayed its multi-dimensional look and showed that when those elements come together, well it can be a tough team to beat. Whether it was Neftali Alvarez slashing to the basket, Jonathan Kasibabu and Matija Milin finishing plays around the rim, or Landon Taliaferro netting long-range jumpers, the Stags put all their weapons on display which resulted in a 72-59 win over Manhattan College.

It was just last weekend when Taliaferro sat on the bench as the team battled Canisius College on the road, suffering with flu-like symptoms. But since that night, the junior has netted 12 three-point field goals in 26 attempts which translated into a 22-point scoring average in his last two appearances.

"It wasn't good that I wasn't feeling well," Taliaferro said. "But, it allowed me to rest my legs for a bit and allowed me to regroup. So I guess it was good and bad that it happened."

Rested legs and refreshed, Taliaferro netted eight three-point field goals in 18 attempts including six in the first half. It was his long-range accuracy that really gave an opportunity for his teammates to open a lead very early in the game. With the team ahead 7-6, Taliaferro netted back-to-back three pointers that sent the lead to seven points at 13-6 with 14:36 on the clock.

After Manhattan scored off a layup, Taliaferro struck once for an eight-point lead which became double figures after Taj Benning's steal set up a fast break layup for Alvarez. The lead reached 12 after Taliaferro missed a three-point shot, grabbed the long offensive rebound, and launched another shot from behind the arc that found nothing but net, pushing the score to 23-11.

"I just went out there and tried to be as relaxed as possible and remain focused at the same time," Taliaferro said. "I try and play off my teammates and that's all it really took today."

Fairfield's lead reached as many as 16 points in the first half, a margin reached after Alvarez posted his own three pointer with two minutes remaining that brought the score to 36-20. The Stags would settle for a 14-point lead at intermission after Ebube Ebube scored off a drive to the basket with four seconds left.
While Taliaferro's six three-point field goals was instrumental, the fact that the team committed just five first-half turnovers was equally important to the early success.

"In the first game, Manhattan played us really well defensively and we did not adjust well in game one," Head Coach Sydney Johnson said. "We watched film, worked really hard in practice and learned from our mistakes. We really talked about limiting our turnovers in this game since we had 17 last time against Manhattan. So not turning the ball over very much gave us more opportunities to score today."

In the second half, Fairfield's lead reached 20 points for the first after a pair of free throws from Taliaferro. Manhattan a little headway by cutting a few points off the lead but Benning put the Stags back in front by 20 points after his three-point shot made the score 48-28 with 12:36 remaining.

With six minutes left in the game, Fairfield still held a 20-point advantage at 60-40 before Manhattan reeled off seven straight points to come within 13 points at 62-49 and remained that close with 3:53 remaining. Taliaferro's final three-point field goal took some of the life out of the visiting team and helped Fairfield coast over the closing minutes.

"We knew when we recruited Landon that we had a big time shooter," Coach Johnson said. "He is certainly more than just a three-point shooter, but he can certainly shoot the ball as anyone I've coached. And I think the guys did a really good job of executing what we were trying to do which helped him get many of those shots. He took advantage of the team's execution today and that allowed him to flourish."

Milin finished the game with 14 points and four rebounds to back up Taliaferro's efforts, while Jesus Cruz came off the bench to post nine points and three rebounds in his 24 minutes of work. His reserve appearance ended a run of 24 starts which began after he served as a reserve for the first four games of the campaign.

"Part of growing up as a player is to be ready when your number is called," Coach Johnson said. "There may be a mental aspect to being able to be a starter or come off the bench. But at the end of the day, you need to seize on those minutes when they are presented. And to his credit, he was ready to go today and that will be his challenge for the rest of the season whether he is starting or not."

Fairfield will play its final home game of the season on Friday night when it hosts Marist College at Alumni Hall. The game is scheduled for a 7 pm tip. Prior to the game, the Fairfield basketball family will celebrate the career of its senior class.