Niagara outguns Fairfield in 85-76 Stags loss

It was an entirely different game than the last three, but in the end it was the exact same result for the Stags men's basketball team, a loss. After three straight defensive battles, in which the Stags could not finding the ability to score baskets in key situations and win, Fairfield and Niagara battled in a shootout and Fairfield allowed the most points it has all season, 85 by the Purple Eagles. Fairfield shot well, but turnovers led to the team's fourth straight loss and third straight in the MAAC. The Stags are now 1-4 in the MAAC and return home looking to defeat Rider on Friday, to try and salvage the season.

• Michael Van Schaick `07 led the Stags in scoring for the fifth straight game. Van Schaick averaged 16.5 points per game in his past four and scored 19 tonight. He is the consistent scorer the Stags need, now not only making shots from outside the arc but also creating his own shot on drives to the hoop. Van Schaick was 4-for-7 from three and 7-for-13 from the floor.
  
• Herbie Allen `09 scored eight points from the free throw line and added five from the floor for a season-high 13 points.
  
• Greg Nero `10 scored 10 points, making it the second straight game he has scored ten or more.
• Fairfield dominated on the boards, both offensively and defensively, with a 38-22 margin, including 24 offensive rebounds.
  
• The Stags committed 20 turnovers and were sloppy offensively. Many times the Stags got an offensive rebound off a miss, but then fumbled the ball out of bounds or made a bad pass. Niagara did a good job converting the turnovers to points, with 26 off of them.
• Rich Flemming `10 opened the game with back to back three pointers and scored 8 points. He was quiet for most of the second half.

Check www.fairfieldmirror.com tomorrow for a detailed game story, including reaction from Coach Ed Cooley.

-Tom Cleary