Fairfield Falls at Fordham 56-47

The Stags men's basketball team came back from an 18 day layoff, looking for a win against non-conference opponent Fordham, in the Bronx. Despite a strong effort for the first 35 minutes of the game, the Stags lost 56-47 to drop to 3-11 on the year. Fairfield and Fordham were tied at 44 with 4:34 left in the second half, but a three pointer from the Rams' leading scorer Marcus Stout put Fordham in front for good. The Rams would pull away and finish with a 12-3 run, allowing a long three pointer by Michael Van Schaick with 11 seconds left, after the game was already out of hand for Fairfield.

• Fairfield was led in scoring by senior guard Michael Van Schaick, who entered the game leading the team in scoring. Van Schaick scored 14 points and added 7 rebounds. He was the only Stags player in double figures. Marty O'Sullivan scored 5 points and led the team in rebounds, with 11.
• Anthony Johnson `10 had a strong game, when he was one the court. Johnson scored 8 points with 4 rebounds while playing just 15 minutes. Johnson fouled out of the game in the final minutes, but was forced to the bench with four fouls midway through the second half. He was also on the bench for most of the end of the first half with foul trouble. Johnson also suffered an ankle injury during the first half, during a collision at midcourt, but it did not seem to affect him during the second half.
• Greg Nero `10 showed some of the low post scoring ability he did earlier in the season, with 6 points. He had other opportunities to score, but had a few shots roll out.
• Both teams struggled with shooting, as Fairfield finished with a 39.5 shooting percentage and Fordham 34.7%. Fairfield was just 28.6% from beyond the three point arc and 43.8% from the free throw line.
• Fairfield was also hurt by turnovers, they committed 21, to Fordham's 12 and Fordham scored 27 points off turnovers.
• Fairfield's main strength was rebounding. They out rebounded Fordham 42-26 and had 17 second chance points on the offensive end. Van Schaick led the team with 5 offensive rebounds.
• After the game Van Schaick felt that Fordham took Fairfield out of what they wanted to do at times during both halves. He also felt missed shots hurt them, but thinks the team is still learning with every game.
• Devin Johnson `10, who returned from a shoulder injury, was disappointed with himself in missing a few layups and free throws at the end of the game. Coach Ed Cooley was also disappointed in the teams inability to finish on backdoor layups, which he knew the team would have against Fordham.
• Cooley felt that the team's youth and inexperience cost them in the game, but that it is not an excuse. He was pleased with the team's effort, but felt the team needs to learn how to handle themselves better at the end of the game.
• Fordham's coach, Derek Whittenberg, felt that Fairfield did a great job shutting down Bryant Dunston, who finished with 8 points and was 2-9 from the floor.
  

Check www.fairfieldmirror.com tomorrow morning for a full game story.

-Tom Cleary