ATLANTIC CITY – Jalen Leach scored 15 of his game-high 22 points after halftime and Caleb Fields added 20 to push Fairfield University Men's Basketball past Iona, 68-63, in the MAAC Championship Quarterfinals on Wednesday evening at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The second-seeded Stags advance to Friday's semifinal round for the first time since 2021.
 
With the win, Fairfield improves to 21-11. The Stags' 21 wins are the sixth most in program history. Seventh-seeded Iona wraps up its 2023-24 campaign at 16-17. The win snaps a seven-game losing streak for the Stags against the Gaels and marks Fairfield's first postseason win over Iona since 2012.
 
"The first thing I would say is that's a great college basketball game," said Head Coach Chris Casey of the contest, which featured 15 ties and nine lead changes. "Both teams were grinding it out, both teams fought hard and both teams made big plays, and we were fortunate enough to make a few more plays than they did."
 
Leach's 22 points came on 8-for-16 shooting from the floor and a 6-for-6 day at the free throw line. The All-MAAC First Team selection also hauled in eight rebounds and had four of Fairfield's 11 steals. Fields' 20 points included two three-pointers to move into second place on the Stags' single-season list with 96 made triples this season. He also pulled in seven boards with two assists and two steals.
 
MAAC Sixth Player of the Year Brycen Goodine came off the bench and contributed nine points and five rebounds. Alexis Yetna made his first start as a Stag and finished with seven points and five boards in 31 minutes of work.
 
Neither team led by more than five points over the first 20 minutes of action, as the lead changed five times in the first half. The last came in the closing minute when Leach put back and offensive board to put the Stags on top and, following a stop, Leach got to the rim and beat the buzzer to send Fairfield into the break in front, 34-31.
 
Nearly the entire second half was a one-possession affair, with Fairfield taking the lead for good at 56-55 with 5:31 to go. The Stags finally gained breathing room when Fields converted back-to-back jumpers to stretch the margin to 64-59 with 1:33 left. The All-MAAC Second Teamer was also called upon at the charity stripe late as he accounted for the Stags' final eight points in total to ice the 68-63 win.
 
Jeremiah Quigley led Iona with 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Joel Brown added 13.
 
As the second-seeded team, Fairfield has earned a day off on Thursday in Atlantic City. The Stags return to the court at Boardwalk Hall on Friday, March 15 at 9 p.m. against the winner of the Thursday quarterfinal between Marist and Niagara.