HAMDEN, Conn. – Twenty-six days after Fairfield University Men's Basketball was on the short side of a nail-biter with Quinnipiac, the Stags returned the favor in another in-state thriller. Jalen Leach led all scorers with 27 points as Fairfield earned its first win in Hamden since 2017 with an 85-81 victory over the league-leading Bobcats live on ESPNU.
 
"I know I said this the last time we played, but that was a great college basketball game," said Interim Head Coach Chris Casey. "I'm so happy for these guys. There's still a lot left to be done, but it's great to rise to the occasion on a big stage and get an important win."
 
With the victory, Fairfield improves to 17-10 overall and 11-5 in the MAAC. The Stags have matched their highest overall win total since going 17-16 in the 2017-18 campaign and their most MAAC wins since the 2016-17 season. The Bobcats stay in front of by one game in the loss column at 11-4 in league contests as a part of a 19-7 overall mark.
 
In tonight's action, Leach's 27 points account for his 10th 20-point effort of the year, seven of which have come against MAAC opponents. He was 8-for-13 from the field, including four three-pointers, and converted all seven of his free throw attempts.
 
Caleb Fields also had four three-pointers en route to 19 points. Fields became only the seventh Stag to ever drain 80 treys in a season, boosting his total to 81 on the year.
 
Five Stags netted double figures in total as Brycen Goodine sank three triples on his way to 13 points, Jasper Floyd netted 11 and Louis Bleechmore had 10. The performance marks the third time this season that five Stags reach double figures in a game.
 
Rounding out the scoring, Alexis Yetna had two points and Birima Seck stuffed the statsheet with three points, five rebounds, three blocks and four steals.
 
As a unit, the Stags shot 28-for-61 (45.9%) from the floor, 13-for-26 (50%) from three-point range and 16-for-20 (80%) from the free throw line. Fields was the top facilitator to the scoring effort with five assists.
 
Leach and Floyd each corralled six rebounds to lead Fairfield to a 34-31 advantage on the glass. The Stags also won the turnover battle, committing just nine while forcing 14 Quinnipiac miscues. Lech had three steals and Floyd had a pair of swipes, moving into a tie with AJ Wynder for second on Fairfield's single-season list with 66.
 
Matt Balanc drove the Quinnipiac attack with 23 points, including five three-pointers, and nine rebounds. Doug Young added a spark with 17 points off the bench. The Bobcats were 31-for-66 (47%) from the field, 15-for-33 (45.5%) from distance and 4-for-6 (66.7%) from the line.
 
The Stags return to action and return to Leo D. Mahoney Arena this Sunday, Feb. 25 to host Siena at 2 p.m. The Saints, who were idle tonight, most recently fell to Canisius last Sunday to slip to 4-22 overall and 3-12 in MAAC play.
 
Tickets are on sale now at FairfieldStags.com/TIX.