
Stags Erase 11-Point Second Half Deficit In 69-67 Win At Loyola
Jan 4, 2008
BALTIMORE, Md. - Jonathan Han and Anthony Johnson have done many times over the last year and a half. A quick no look pass from Han and a strong finish at the basket by Johnson has led to many exciting moments, but none more thrilling than the hoop that put Fairfield ahead for good with 52 seconds remaining in the Stags 69-67 win over Loyola College.
The basket capped a 20-8 run over the final 10 minutes of the game that allowed Fairfield to erase an 11-point deficit. Trailing 59-48 with 10:35 on the clock, Han started Fairfield come back with a three-point field goal to make t he score 59-51. After a pair of defensive stops, Warren Edney stepped to the three-point line and nailed a jumper to cut the deficit to 59-54 at the 8:09 mark.
Omari Isreal tallied a pair of free throws to stop the Stags run, but that was only short lived because Johnson and Mike Evanovich followed with a basket in a 22-second span to pull within three points at 61-58. Fairfield completed the come back with a three-point play Edney to tie the game at 61-61.
Issac Reid regained the lead for Loyola with a basket, a play which sparked a 5-0 run that moved the score to 67-62 with 2:20 on the clock. However, Fairfield followed with a 7-0 run to end the game, which began with a pair of free throws by Herbie Allen. After a Loyola turnover, Nero tallied a pair of charity tosses to make the score 67-66 with 1:40 remaining. Those free throws set up the game-winning play by Johnson, off a no-look pass under the basket by Han. The assist was Han's 299th of his career, as the junior continues to inch near the Stags' top ten assist list (16 shy of the number 10 slot).
Once again, Fairfield's defense came up with a stop on Loyola's next possession, a sequence with Johnson being fouled on the rebound. The sophomore made one of two free throws to push the lead to two points at 69-67. The win was completed after Reid's three-point shot skimmed off the rim as time expired.
The Stags held a three-point lead at halftime at 35-32, courtesy of Mike Evanovich's hot hand. The junior hit his first five three-point attempts and finished the game with six long-range jumpers in eight attempts. His 20 points represented a game-high and tied his career-high set in the season opener.
The Stags won their third road game of the season and second road game in the MAAC. Those records will be tested on Tuesday night when Fairfield goes to the floor once again against Siena College, which will complete the season series with the Saints. The game will also be the team's fourth straight road game.

