HAMDEN, Conn. – Fairfield University Men's Basketball got off to a fast start on Friday night at Quinnipiac, but it was hot shooting from the hosts that decided the nationally-televised Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference contest. The Bobcats shot 63 percent from the field in the second half to pull away for a 66-51 final.
 
"We didn't come out ready to play in the second half," said Head Coach Jay Young. "Quinnipiac is a good team, they're well coached and they played much harder than we did. We need to get back to playing Fairfield Basketball."
 
With the loss, Fairfield slips to 10-12 overall and an even 6-6 in the MAAC. The Bobcats improve to 17-6 on the year with an 8-4 conference tally.
 
The Stags were led offensively by a season-high 17 points from Allan Jeanne-Rose, who shot 7-for-10 from the field and 3-for-4 at the free throw line. Jalen Leach added 10 points with six rebounds and four steals, and Supreme Cook notched six points and a team-best seven rebounds.
 
Leach sparked the offense early with a quick four points as the Stags went on a 16-4 run over a span of 5:39 to take an 18-6 lead. That run was capped by six in a row for Jeanne-Rose before the Bobcats responded with an 8-0 stretch to cut the margin to 18-14 with 9:24 left in the half to induce a Fairfield timeout. After Jeanne-Rose added a free throw to end the scoring drought, Tyrese Williams hit a three for QU to tie the game for the first time since 2-2. Jake Wojcik answered with a step-back trey to put the Stags back in front, 21-19, before the Bobcats ran off the last seven points of the half to take a 26-21 lead into the locker room.
 
The scoring came easier for both teams to start the second half with Caleb Fields netting all five of his points and Jeanne-Rose adding four to his total early in the frame to shrink the deficit to 31-30. Quinnipiac, however, heated up from deep, connecting on three triples in the opening stretch to build the lead back to 37-32. The Bobcats continue to tack on points, shooting 17-for-27 from the floor in the half – including five three-pointers – to grow their lead as large as 19 points en route to a 66-51 final.
 
Ike Nweke led all players with 18 points and eight rebounds for the Bobcats. Luis Kortright scored 12 and Dezi Jones netted 11.
 
Up next, the Stags return to a sold-out Leo D. Mahoney Arena to host Iona on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. The Gaels, who hosted and defeated Mount St. Mary's on Friday, are currently 15-7 overall and 8-3 in the MAAC.