HACKENSACK, N.J. – Fairfield University Men's Basketball raced out to a 30-point lead at halftime of Thursday's game at FDU, and the margin was more than enough for the Stags to roll after the break to a 92-69 victory for their fifth straight win. Jalen Leach led all players with 20 points as four Stags netted double figures.
 
Fairfield's five-game winning streak evens the Stags' record at 6-6 on the season. The last five-game streak for the Stags came during the 2021-22 season and also included a victory at FDU. The Knights slipped to 6-7 with the loss.
 
"You can't ask for a much better start than what we had in the first half – not just shooting but our defense and rebounding as well," said Interim Head Coach Chris Casey. "With a team that can score like FDU, you know they might find their offensive rhythm like they did, but I thought we did a good job of keeping our composure and getting back to controlling the flow of the game to close out the win."
 
Fairfield shot 23-for-35 (65.7%) from the floor in the first half – sparked by eight three-pointers on 12 attempts – and finished at 38-for-72 (season-high 52.8%) for the game. Caleb Fields scored all 17 of his points before the break as he started the game at 5-for-5 from three-point range.
 
Leach's 20 points came without a trey, as he went 10-for-16 from the field. The senior also shared the team lead with eight rebounds and dished out four assists. Birima Seck added his best game as a Stag to date with 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting and three rebounds in 22 minutes of action.

The fourth Stag in double figures was Louis Bleechmore with 10 points to go along with six rebounds. James Johns Jr. came off the bench to can two three-pointers on his way to eight points and four assists. The trio of Jasper Floyd, Peyton Smith and Brycen Goodine all had seven points. Floyd continued to stuff the statsheet as he also corralled eight rebounds and distributed five assists.
 
Rounding out the scoring, Jack Brown had two points and Anthony Davis Jr. sank a free throw for his first point as a Stag.
 
The 92-point output for the Stags matched their season high against Mount Saint Mary – also tying last season's best from the 92-82 win over Quinnipiac at Mahoney Arena. Tonight's 23-point margin of victory was Fairfield's largest against a Division I opponent since a 70-47 win at William & Mary on Dec. 12, 2021.
 
In addition to the scoring effort, the Stags held a 40-37 advantage on the glass. Fairfield committed just eight turnovers while forcing FDU into 12 giveaways.
 
The Knights, who entered the game as the NEC's top scoring team at over 82 points per game, were led by 18 points from Jo'el Emanuel and a 15-point, 9-rebound shoting from Ansley Almonor.
 
After a break for the holidays, the Stags return to action to close out the non-conference slate at Leo D. Mahoney Arena against visiting Le Moyne on Dec. 30. Opening tip-off in the first meeting between the Stags and Dolphins since 1955 is set for 2 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at FairfieldStags.com/TIX.