HAMDEN, Conn. – Fairfield University Men's Basketball rallied back from a double-digit deficit to tie host Quinnipiac in the second half of Sunday's in-state MAAC clash in Hamden. But the Stags were ultimately unable to pull ahead of the Bobcats, who held on down the stretch to take a 72-66 decision.
 
Caleb Green netted his 1,000th career point in the contest, reaching the milestone on a clutch three-pointer during the Stags' comeback. Green, who had eight points in today's effort, scored 633 points in two seasons at Holy Cross and has tallied 367 points to date in two active seasons as a Fairfield Stag.
 
Supreme Cook continued his strong play in the post for Fairfield (8-9, 2-4 MAAC), scoring a team-high 13 points and hauling in a game-best 11 rebounds – often while matched against MAAC leading rebounder Kevin Marfo. Cook's double-double in his fifth of the season and his third in the last four games.
 
Joining Cook in double figures were Jake Wojcik and Taj Benning with 12 points apiece. Allan Jeanne-Rose added eight points, TJ Long scored seven and Jesus Cruz chipped in with six.
 
Cook's 11 boards fueled the rebounding battle, which went to Quinnpiac by a slim 36-35 margin. The Stags collected 13 offensive rips, including four from Cook and three each for Wojcik and Jeanne-Rose, en route to 15 second-chance points.
 
Marfo led all players with 16 points for Quinnipiac (9-6, 4-3 MAAC).
 
The fifth lead change of a back-and-forth first half led the game's first extended run as the Bobcats netted 12 straight over a span of 3:19 to turn a 25-24 Fairfield lead into a 36-25 advantage for Quinnipiac with 2:24 to go in the period. Cook added a layup and free throw in the final two minutes of the frame to cut the margin back down to eight as the Stags headed into the locker room facing a 36-28 deficit.
 
Halftime did not slow the Stags' climb back, as Fairfield started the second period on a 10-2 run to pull even at 38-38. The run included three-pointers from Wojcik and Green, the latter bringing his career total 1,000 collegiate points.
 
The tie held to 47-47 on a drive to the hoop from Long, but the Bobcats came out of the deadlock with an 11-2 stretch to take a 58-49 lead that they would not relinquish.
 
Two treys from Wojcik, including a pull-up in transition, brought the Stags back to within 62-60, but Quinnipiac scored on its next three possessions to main a 68-64 advantage as the game entered its final minute. Marfo went 4-for-4 from the stripe during the last 60 seconds of the game to keep the Stags at arm's length and ice the 72-66 final in favor of the host Bobcats.
 
"We're not making plays in big moments. It's been hurting us all year and it hurt us again today," said Head Coach Jay Young. "Quinnipiac is a good offensive team, but we didn't make any stops at key moments. We don't have a defensive identity right now; we've got to get back in the gym and find one."
 
The Stags return to Webster Bank Arena to host Monmouth on Thursday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. as the nightcap of a Fairfield Basketball doubleheader (tickets). The Hawks, who will host Iona on Tuesday before coming to Bridgeport, are currently 10-5 overall and 2-2 in the MAAC following an 84-48 loss at Marist this afternoon.

Thursday's game is Fairfield's lone home outing before a three-game MAAC road swing featuring Marist, Rider and the return trip to Monmouth.