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Fairfield Finishes Strong In 72-60 Win Over Quinnpiac
UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- Maurice Barrow scored a career-high 19
points, one of four Fairfield starters in double figures as the
men's basketball team opened the season with a 72-60 win over
Quinnpiiac University. The game was part of the Connecticut 6
Classic which was played at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
The Stags never trailed in this game, opening the game by scoring
eight of the first nine points of the game. After Derek Needham
started the season with a three-point shot, Rakim Sanders scored
the team's next five points to grab the early lead. Ryan Olander
showed his outside shooting ability by hitting a three pointer at
the 13:31 mark which pushed the lead to eight points at 11-3.
Fairfield would eventually increase its advantage to double digits,
taking a 15-point advantage at 25-12 after Sanders laid the ball in
the basket at the 5:53 mark.
The double-digit lead remained intact heading into the final two
minutes of the first half as Barrow's jumper made the score 34-23
with 2:14 on the clock. Quinnipiac answered with four straight
points to make it a little closer, courtesy of a layup by Jamee
Jackson and Nate Gause. The Stags answered back with four points
from Barrow, making a pair of free throws followed by a lay up.
Quinnipiac cut into the lead when Dave Johnson netted two charity
tosses to bring the half to close at 38-29.
Fairfield's good fortune continued over the opening four minutes of
the second half when it put together a 10-4 run which gave the team
its biggest lead of the game at 48-33 The Bobcats found their
rhythm at that point and started to mount a strong come back. The
lead was cut nearly in half with a 12-5 run that pulled the team
within eight points at 53-45. Ike Azotam began the comeback with
four points, while Jamee Jackson would also add four points of his
own later in the stretch.
Quinnipiac continued to make its move by erasing the rest of that
Stags lead, eventually tying the game at 57-57 with five minutes
remaining. Most significantly, Needham and Sanders each picked up
their fourth foul, causing the two tri-captains to sit on the bench
for eight and five minutes, respectively. When the two returned to
the lineup with five minutes left, things began to turn toward the
Stags.
With the score tied, Sanders immediately contributed a basket to
nudge Fairfield back into the lead. Needham went to the line and
made one of two free throws to push the lead to three points at
60-57 with 4:16 remaining. Fairfield's defense took over at that
point, allowing the team to go on a 15-1 run that put Fairfield in
control at 7-58. Alex Jackson closed out the scoring with a basket
for the Bobcats, resulting in a 72-60 final.
Sanders ended the game with 16 points, while Needham added 14
points and Olander chipped in with 12 points. Azotam posted a
double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds for Quinnipiac.
