The collective effort of the Fairfield Men’s basketball team in upstate New York this past weekend has kept them on track to finish atop the MAAC and represent the conference in the NCAA Tournament in March.
A tough two-game road trip featuring stops at Canisius and Niagara yielded two hard-fought victories for head coach Ed Cooley’s brigade. As of printing time, the Stags stood atop the MAAC with an 8-1 record in the conference.
Last Friday night at Canisius, the Stags were led by Derek Needham ’13, who scored 19 points and Yorel Hawkins ’11, who posted a double-double consisting of 11 points and 10 boards in a 67-60 victory over the Golden Griffins.
The Stags were able to control the tempo of the game throughout, and also weathered a few runs from Canisius in the second half.
Sunday, in a matinee affair with the Purple Eagles of Niagara, Fairfield was also able to walk away with a gritty 57-49 triumph. The Stags team defense, a staple of the squad this season, was on full display for the Stag faithful.
On the offensive side, several members of the team posted double digit figures. Ryan Olander ’12 led the cohort with an 11 point, 10 rebound performance. Hawkins, along with freshman sensation Maurice Barrow ’14, scored a team-high 14 points apiece.
The Stags greatest strength this season has undoubtedly been their tenacious defense. Opponents have stumbled and bumbled to an average of 54.8 points per game this season, second best in the nation.
Fairfield has formed an identity this season: defend first, make timely baskets, and grind out wins. This formula will be tested multiple times before the conference tournament in March.
The continued development of Barrow, Needham, Nickerson, and Olander will be paramount to how far this team can make it this year. Coupled with the senior leadership of Hawkins, Edney, and Jordan, this team is in perfect position to fulfill its goals.
The next couple weeks are a great chance to come out and support the program as it vies for postseason seeding. Between now and February 6th there are four different chances to catch the team at home as it takes on some of the toughest teams in the MAAC.
The Stags next take the court Friday night at Harbor Yard. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
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