ALBANY, N.Y. - The Fairfield University men's basketball team put forth its best defensive effort of the season to post its third straight conference road win in the form of a 53-52 decision over Siena College at the Times Union Center. The Stags held the conference's top offensive team to 27 points under its season scoring in the game.

            "We came here wanting to show some pride and play solid defense," Head Coach Ed Cooley said. "We did not play well last time we faced them so the team wanted to come here and show the type of defensive team we are. I think we showed that tonight."

The win placed Fairfield in a tie for second place in the conference, and knocked Siena from the unbeaten ranks within MAAC play.

            Fairfield held the Saints leading scorer Kenny Hasbrouck to just three points, a number which was aided by foul trouble. Overall, the team shot just 34 percent from the floor and used 15 offensive rebounds to score most of its points (20 second-chance points).

            The Stags led by six points at halftime, and never trailed in the second half. Still, there were several anxious moments for Coach Cooley. The Saints cut the lead to one points on three different occasions over a four-minute span, beginning with Clarence Jackson's three-point hoop at 11:03 to make the score 41-40.

            Warren Edney answered with a jumper to regain the three-point edge, but Edwin Ubiles drove to the hoop on the next possession to cut the lead back to one, 43-42. Once again, the Stags met the challenge as Herbie Allen hit a running one-hander to secure the three-point advantage.

            Ubiles responded with another lay up to pull within a point, but Mike Evanovich hit a three-point shot from the top of the key to push the lead to four points. The lead reached six points after Anthony Johnson's laid the ball in the basket, making the score 50-44. Siena eventually pulled back within a point at 53-52 with an 8-3 run, the last four points coming off tip-in baskets by Ryan Rossiter with 1:44 remaining.

            In the final minute, both teams combined for five turnovers, all coming in the Stags backcourt, which left Siena with the ball and a chance to win the game with 9.5 seconds remaining. Ubiles found himself open for a shot but the ball bounced off the rim into Jonathan Han's hands. The junior evaded Siena's attempts to foul until there were four-tenths of a second remaining. With neither team yet in the bonus, Fairfield inbounded the ball to end the game.

            While Fairfield led the entire second half, it had to erase an early lead in the opening half. The Saints jumped out to a 5-0 lead courtesy of five points from Tay Fisher. The Stags quickly cut into the lead with back-to-back lay-ups by Greg Nero and Herbie Allen. Siena managed to rebuild its lead to four points at 10-6, but Fairfield answered with 7-2 spurt that enabled the visitors to take their first lead of the game at 13-12.

            Fairfield continued to its run with 5-1 run as Nero scored off a jumper and Lyndon Jordan hit a 22-footer to make the score 18-13 with 8:36 left in the half. Fairfield continued to pad its lead by holding Siena without a field goal for the final eight minutes of the half. Siena scored its final nine points of the half from the free throw line and went into the locker room trailing by a 30-24 count.

            The 24 points tied a Siena season low for points in the first half, which it also set against second-ranked Memphis on January 3. The Saints' six field goals marked the first time that they did not have at least 10 field goals in the first half, a mark they also established against Memphis. Most of the team's points came from the free throw line, making 10 of 15 charity tosses. Fairfield went to line just once, as Marty O'Sullivan converted a free throw for a three-point play.

            Fairfield finishes off its series with Loyola College on Friday night at home, hosting the Greyhounds for a 7:30 game at the Arena at Harbor Yard.