BUFFALO, N.Y. – Fairfield University Men's Basketball opened the MAAC portion of the 2021-22 season on Friday night with a 74-68 win at Canisius. Jesus Cruz led three Stags in double figures with 16 points.
 
With the win, the Stags boost their overall record to 4-3. Canisius drops to 2-6 on the season.
 
"Any road win is a good win in college basketball, and a conference road win is even better and even tougher to come by," said Head Coach Jay Young. "I'm proud of the effort from our guys against a good, well-coached team. Everybody who checked in contributed, and that's what we need every night."
 
Cruz's 16 points came on 7-for-11 shooting from the field, including a pair of three-pointers. The graduate student accounted for half of the Stags' 32 bench points. Chris Maidoh added nine points in a reserve role and TJ Long netted seven to round out the effort from bench.
 
Caleb Green had his most productive scoring night of the season, as he shot 6-for-11 from the field, highlighted by two three-pointers, en route to 14 points. Allan Jeanne-Rose made his first start of 2021-22 and responded with 13 points along with six rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
 
Maidoh and Supreme Cook drove the Fairfield effort down low, with Cook netting eight points to go along with Maidoh's nine. In total, the Stags score 42 points in the paint. Fairfield attempted a season-low 13 three-pointers, connecting on five en route to 74 points – their highest output in regulation against a Division I foe this season. The Stags' .536 field goal percentage (30-for-58) was their best since shooting .597 in the victory over Medgar Evers.
 
"With guys like Supreme and Chris, getting the ball down low is always going to be our focus. I thought both of them played well tonight and when that happens, it's going to be a huge part of our offense."
 
Taj Benning added seven points to round out the scoring and hauled in a game-high and personal season-best 10 rebounds. The battle under the boards was even at 36-36, including 12 offensive rips for Fairfield and 15 for the Griffs.
 
Armon Harried led all players with 18 points for Canisius. Jordan Henderson added 16 and Akrum Ahemed had 11. Henderson accounted for two of the Griffs' six three-pointers on 19 attempts.
 
The Stags conclude the Western New York swing on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Niagara. The Purple Eagles will enter the contest at 3-4 overall and 0-1 in the MAAC following a 57-49 home loss to Monmouth on Friday evening.
 
The schedule shifts back to non-conference play and action returns to Webster Bank Arena on Wednesday, Dec. 8 with a 7 p.m. visit from Holy Cross. Tickets are on sale now from the Webster Bank Arena box office and Ticketmaster.