FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University will finish up its season series with Saint Peter's on Sunday, traveling to Jersey City for a 2 pm game at the Yanitelli Center. The game serves as the Stags' second road game in 36 hours after starting the weekend with an overtime victory at Marist on Friday night. Fairfield earned a 61-51 win over Saint Peter's in the first meeting between these two teams which came on January 15 at Alumni Hall.
The Stags' win against the Red Foxes was set up by
Jesus Cruz's basket with four seconds remaining which sent the game into overtime and ended with Fairfield's 57-53 decision, ending a four-game road losing streak for the Stags. Cruz, who earned his first start since January 8 when Fairfield hosted Marist, tallied 12 points in 34 minutes but eight of those markers came in the final nine minutes of the game.
Taj Benning continued his scoring prowess by posting a team-best 15 points, the fifth time in the last nine games that he was the top scorer. Benning's contribution came in overtime, scoring seven of the team's 12 points in extra time including four free throws in as many attempts with less than a minute remaining.
Fairfield's defense was out in force on Friday night, allowing less than 30 points in each half against Marist. The Red Foxes scored 19 points in the first half 26 markers in the second half, and eight points in overtime, keeping the opponent under 60 points for the eighth time this season. Benning raised his season scoring average to 10.1 points per game, becoming the third Stag in double figures for the season.
Landon Taliaferro leads the team with 12.2 points per contest followed by Cruz's 11.1 scoring average.
Vincent Eze represents the team's top rebounder with his 5.6 caroms per contest.
The Peacocks continued their success at home with an 84-72 decision over Quinnipiac, the team's third 80-point performance in the last four games. Saint Peter's improved to 4-0 when it tallies 80 or more points, highlighted by its season-high scoring mark of 86 points in a win over Fairleigh Dickinson. Three of its 80-point efforts have come at home with its lone exception happening at Monmouth on February 9 (81-69 win). Against Quinnipiac, Darryl Banks III joined reserve Doug Edert as the Peacocks' top scorers with 18 points each.
Saint Peter's scored a bunch of points from behind the arc, netting 13 three pointers in 26 attempts. The team averages 6.7 three pointers per game and ranks second in the MAAC for team three-point field goal percentage (.357). The Peacocks have a balanced attack that sees Banks III leading the way with his 8.3 scoring average, followed by Edert and KC Ndefo with 8.1 points per game each. Ndefo leads the MAAC with 50 blocked shots in 21 games (2.4 per game), helping Saint Peter's lead all members with its 4.3 blocks per game. Hassan Drame is the team's top rebounder with 5.5 per game.
The Stags will return to George Bisacca Court at Alumni Hall for four consecutive home games after this game, beginning with a February 21 match up with Niagara. Game time is scheduled for 7 pm.
