BRIDGEPORT, CT – In a game that featured 19 lead changes and 11 ties, Fairfield came out victorious 103-100 in overtime against the Iona College men's basketball this evening at the Webster Bank Arena.
After trailing by as many as nine with 10:24 remaining, the Stags (8-13, 3-7 MAAC) outscored the Gaels (13-9, 7-3 MAAC) 24-15 over the final 10 minutes to force overtime. In the extra session, the hosts went 5-of-7 from the field and 7-of-8 from the free throw line to earn a three-point winning margin.
In the effort,
E.J. Crawford led four players totaling 88 points for the Maroon & Gold with a career-high 26 points and seven rebounds.
Rickey McGill added 22 points, seven assists and four rebounds while
Roland Griffin came off the bench for 21 points and six rebounds.
TK Edogi recorded his sixth double-double of the season behind 19 points and 13 rebounds.
Tyler Nelson paced Fairfield with 32 points, his four 30-point output on the year. He also added six rebounds and four assists. Aidas Kavaliauskas notched his third double-double in five games, tallying 10 points and 12 assists in addition to two steals.
The Stags were able to take advantage of 15 Iona turnovers by creating 23 points off those turnovers and a 25-7 edge in fast break points. Offensively, Fairfield produced 26 assists on 39 made field goals (53.4 percent) that included 14 made 3-pointers, matching a season-high (Rider – Jan. 23).
In the overtime session, the fourth lead change of the first three minutes proved to be the deciding factor as Ferron Flavors, Jr. connected on a 3-pointer to put Fairfield ahead for good at 94-92. Nelson added five free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
Iona had three players score 20-plus points for the first time since November of 2014 when
Schadrac Casimir poured in 40 points against Delaware State (Nov. 26, 2014) while A.J. English and Isaiah Williams recorded 26 and 25 points respectively.
The Gaels return home this Friday to host Quinnipiac for a 7 pm start. The game is scheduled to be televised on ESPNU.
