With a freshman point guard running the show and injuries again taking the focus off of the strong play of former role players, one would assume that the men’s basketball team would be off to yet another slow start.
But instead the Stags are 4-2, tied for the best record in the MAAC, and off to the fastest start in head coach Ed Cooley’s career, which has now reached 100 games.
Fairfield had a successful pre-Thanksgiving trip to Washington, D.C. where the Stags defeated American on Monday, 72-56, and then Howard on Wednesday, 81-60. As the rest of the University returned from break, the Stags continued their road trip, traveling to Long Island to take on Hofstra, falling 84-80.
Against American, the Stags were led by returning junior forward Yorel Hawkins who led the way with 18 points. Freshman point guard Derek Needham scored 13 points, continuing his streak of double-digit point performances. Needham is leading all MAAC freshmen in scoring with 16.8 points per game and has won the MAAC Rookie of the Week award twice this season out of three possible weeks.
Hawkins continued his big return with a 16 point night that again paced the Stags. Needham scored 13 points and junior Lyndon Jordan chipped in with 12 points. The Stags led 41-21 at halftime and almost allowed Howard to close the gap, as they won the second half by a scored of 40-39 for a 81-60 final.
The Stags had a chance to continue their streak against Hofstra on Monday night but despite three players scoring over 20 points (Needham, Hawkins and Anthony Johnson), the Stags lost. Fairfield trailed four with under a minute remaining, but Needham hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to one. After the Pride made just one out of two free throws, Fairfield had a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer. Hawkins had an open look from the corner, but his shot was blocked. Fairfield recovered the ball and Hawkins had a second shot blocked to end the game. Needham scored a career-high 26 points, while Hawkins and Johnson both scored 22 points.
The Stags now return home where they will play three of their next four games, heading into the winter break. Fairfield opens its MAAC season with a game against Marist (0-4 ) on Thursday night at 8 p.m. at the Arena at Harbor Yard.
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