FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- When a team is looking to make a late-season run, there is nothing better to help its cause than playing four straight home games. That's the situation for the Fairfield University men's basketball team as it welcomes Niagara University on Friday night to start the season-long home stand. The game is scheduled for a 7 pm tip on George Bisacca Court in Alumni Hall. This home stand will also include Siena College on Sunday, followed by Quinnipiac (February 28) and Rider (March 1).

The Stags return home after a pair of road games which resulted in a split. After defeating Marist in overtime last Friday, Fairfield dropped a 61-44 decision at Saint Peter's on Sunday afternoon. The Stags never led in this game as the Peacocks scored the first five points of the game and never relinquished that advantage. Fairfield made several valiant runs at its opponent but could not complete the come back on those occasions.

Jesus Cruz paced the Fairfield offense with nine points, netting three of his nine field goal attempts. Aidas Kavaliauskas came off the bench to post eight points, the top scoring reserve for the Stags. Taj Benning put together another solid performance with seven points and a team-best six rebounds in his 35 minutes of work. Fairfield has played .500 basketball since December 1, splitting its last 16 games.

Fairfield still places three Stags in double figures led by senior Landon Taliaferro's 11.9 scoring average. Jesus Cruz and Taj Benning are also averaging in double digits with their 11.0 and 10.0 scoring averages.

The Purple Eagles enter today's game after registering back-to-back wins at home, edging Canisius by a 69-66 margin and Monmouth by a 77-72 count. Niagara trailed with three minutes to go but closed the contest with a 12-5 run that pushed the Purple Eagles into the win column for the ninth time this year. The back-to-back wins mark the third time this season that Niagara has won consecutive games, defeating Norfolk State and Colgate in early December as well as Iona, Rider, and Siena in mid-January.

Marcus Hammond secured his second career double-double in the Monmouth win, recording 26 points and collecting 12 rebounds. Shandon Brown netted a career-high 17 points in the win as well. Hammond's performance helped him garner the MAAC Player of the Week award, finishing the week with a 21.5 scoring average a 10.0 rebounding average, and 3.0 assist per game. Hammond represents the team's top scorer with his 13.7 scoring average while his 4.4 rebounds every forty minutes rates first among his teammates. James Towns stands next in line by scoring 11.4 points per contest, a number enhanced by his team-best 80 free throws (.808 free throw percentage).

Game Promotions:
RED OUT: It's Fairfield Friday! Wear red to the game to show your support!
 
Alumni Hall Replica Giveaway: The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a miniature replica of Alumni Hall.