NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Halon Rawlins' free throw with 3.3 seconds to play was the difference in a classic MAAC match up as Fairfield University Men's Basketball knocked off host Iona, 71-70. Braden Sparks scored a career-best 27 points, and Brandon Benjamin recorded his 11th double-double in the Stags' first win in New Rochelle since 2007.
 
After tonight's contest, Fairfield and Iona hold identical records of 14-9 overall and 6-6 in the MAAC. The Stags have won three consecutive games following last weekend's home sweep of Niagara and Canisius. The loss at Hynes Athletics Center was only the Gaels' second home setback of the year, falling to 9-2 on their home court.
 
"First of all, that was a great college game. I thought both teams played their hearts out, we were fortunate enough to make one more play than they did," said Head Coach Chris Casey. "I'm proud of our guys. This is a tough atmosphere, and we came in here and grinded and came out with the win."
 
Rawlins' winning free throw broke the 14th tie and represented the 11th lead change of the contest. Sparks was also key late on the offensive end with the layup that tied the game at 67-67 and the step-back three-pointer that knotted it up at 70-70 with just 62 seconds to play. The MAAC's leading scorer netted 18 of his career-high 27 in the second half, finishing with five made three-pointers.
 
Benjamin's 11th double-double was comprised of 13 points and a game-leading 15 rebounds – matching his career-high on the boards. In the process, Benjamin set a new Fairfield freshman rebounding record at 229 boards and counting, surpassing the 220 rebounds corralled by Drew Henderson in 1989-90 at the start of his Hall of Fame career. Seven of Benjamin's rebounds came from the offensive glass to run his total to 97 – sixth in a single-season at Fairfield since the stat was officially tracked beginning in the 1986-87 campaign.
 
Benjamin also distributed a career-best and team-leading five assists.
 
Declan Wucherpfennig was the third Stag in double figures with 16 points, highlighted by 10 points in the second half.
 
Rawlins' free throw capped a full day for the rookie wingman, who finished with nine points and seven rebounds – all from the offensive glass. As a unit, Fairfield battled to a 42-31 rebounding advantage and corralled 21 offensive rebounds – the Stags' most in a game since nabbing 22 at Niagara on Jan. 4, 2010.
 
To round out the Fairfield scoring, Deuce Turner had four points and Tony Williams netted two. Eric Mejia contributed four rebounds in a reserve role.
 
The Stags shot 27-for-65 (.415) from the field, 8-for-24 (.333) from three-point range, and 9-for-14 (.643) from the free throw line.
 
Iona was led by 20 points from C.J. Anthony, including five points that temporarily staked Iona to the lead twice in the final 2:08 of action. Toby Harris added 14 points for the Gaels, who canned 10 three-pointers on 26 attempts (.385) and shot 14-for-17 (.824) from the charity stripe.
 
Up next, Fairfield rings in the month of February with a visit from in-state MAAC foe Quinnipiac on Sunday, Feb. 1. The Bobcats are 14-9 overall and one game ahead of the Stags in the MAAC standings at 7-5 following a 98-91 home loss to Sacred Heart tonight in Hamden.
 
Sunday's opening tip-off from Mahoney Arena is set for 2 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at FairfieldStags.com/TIX.