Men's Basketball Takes On Conference Rival Iona College Friday Night
Jan 17, 2008
Fairfield University (5-11 overall, 3-3 MAAC) will reach into its suitcase one more time this evening, as the Stags play its final road contest before a three-game home stand begins on January 21 against Saint Peter's. Head Coach Ed Cooley takes his team on the road for the sixth time over the last seven games this evening, posting a 3-2 mark during the first five outings. Fairfield has played nearly twice as many road games (11 including tonight) as home dates (6) so far. The Stags come off their first conference road loss this year (3-1) against co-leader Marist College, as the Red Foxes posted a 77-70 win. Junior Herbie Allen turned in another solid performance, leading the team in scoring for the second straight night. The guard poured in 19 points to lead all Fairfield scorers, just a few nights after tallying a career-high 23 markers versus Loyola. Jonathan Han remains the only Fairfield player averaging better than 10 points a game, tossing in 11.1 points each night. Greg Nero just misses the mark with his 9.7 scoring average. Anthony Johnson secured nine rebounds against Marist, raising his team-leading total to 7.6 caroms per contest.
Iona College (6-12 overall, 2-4MAAC) has been a streaky team this year, opening the season with six losses before winning five of its next six outings. The Gaels followed up that successful string with five straight losses before ending the run with a 69-50 home win against Saint Peter's. Devon Clarke paced the Iona offense that night with 15 points, slightly better than reserve Kyle Camper's 12 markers. Dexter Gray and Clarke have anchored the team's offense this year, averaging 11.4 points and 10.4 points per game, respectively. Gray has tallied 10 or more points in 13 of 18 games this year, while Clarke has reached the plateau 10 times. Iona has played well at the Hynes Athletic Center this year, posting four of its six overall wins and two of its four MAAC victories at home. The Gaels have played one of the more challenging schedules this year, traveling to North Carolina, Louisville, and Vanderbilt.
