Bridgeport, CT (Sports Network) - Derek Needham scored a career-high 32 points
as the Fairfield Stags toppled the Niagara Purple Eagles, 77-69, in a Metro
Atlantic Athletic Conference duel at Webster Bank Arena.
Desmond Wade added 15 points and served up eight assists for Fairfield (12-10,
7-4 MAAC). Rakim Sanders had 14 points to match 14 rebounds in collecting his
seventh double-double of the season. The Stags have now won four of their last
five.
Antoine Mason scored 16 points, Juan'ya Green netted 15, and Malcolm Lemmons
put in 13 for Niagara (9-15, 4-8) which has lost four straight. Ameen Tanksley
recorded a 12 point, 12 rebound double-double for the Purple Eagles as well.
The first half was close with Niagara holding the lead at the break 34-31 by
shooting 46.4 percent from the floor while Fairfield was just behind at 44.0
percent.
In the second half the wheels fell off for Niagara as the Purple Eagles shot
only 30.6 percent from the field. On the other side Fairfield heated up to an
incredible 72.2 percent from the floor including 7-of-12 from beyond the arc
to cruise to the win. On the game Fairfield outscored the Purple Eagles 36-6
from three point range.
Niagara relied more on its inside game outrebounding Fairfield 37-31 and
outscoring the Stags 40-22 on points in the paint.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network