POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – A fast start and a late run provided the Fairfield University men's basketball team with opportunities during its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) game with Marist College. Despite the Stags' best efforts, the Red Foxes were able to put together a first-half run that allowed them to take control and set the tone for their 73-63 win.

               Jesus Cruz returned to the starting lineup and his presence paid off quickly as the senior scored six of the team's first eight points which sprouted an early 8-4 lead. The Stags eventually doubled up on that advantage after Caleb Green netted a long three-point shot that improved the team's edge to 14-8 with 13 minutes remaining.

               Fairfield would eventually lead by as many as seven points at 18-11 with 11:45 on the clock after Tshiefu Ngalakulondi connected from 17 feet away. After the junior's basket, the Stags offense found it difficult to score consistently. The team's offensive struggle provided ample opportunity for Marist to find its footing and the home team went on an 18-4 run that turned its seven-point deficit into a seven-point lead with 5:14 left in the first half.

               The Red Foxes were not done yet and continued to build with a 9-2 spurt that turned the seven-point lead into double-digits as back-to-back baskets by Jordan Jones completed the stretch and pushed the score to 38-24. Fairfield finished with a pair of three-point field goals, one each from Green and Jake Wojcik that sent the Stags into the half trailing by 12 points, 42-30.

               Marist continued to hold its double-digit lead for most of the second half, taking its biggest lead at 67-52 with 4:51 on the clock. The three-point field goal befriended the Stags once again and brought the Marist lead down to nine points after Green and Wojcik combined for another pair of three-point field goals that made the score 67-58 with 2:53 on the clock.

               The home team scored the next four points to squash Fairfield's comeback hopes despite the Stags finishing the game with five of the final six points.

               Wojcik led all Fairfield scorers with 16 points aided by his two three-point field goals and his perfect 6-for-6 night at the free throw line. Green has his own degree of perfection in the game by netting all four of his three-point field goal attempts, sending the guard to a 14-point total. Cruz also reached double figures in his return to the starting lineup, collecting 11 points over his 25 minutes of work.

               Jones and Raheim Sullivan both paced the Marist offense with 14 points each with Sullivan's total coming as a reserve. Jordan made seven of his nine field goal attempts to send him to his final scoring total.

               Fairfield and Marist will meet again on Saturday night at the McCann Center, closing out their two-game conference series. The game is scheduled for a 7 pm tip and will be presented on ESPN3.