Post-Game Press Conference Highlights 

            BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Just when you think Marty O'Sullivan can't play any better, the forward proves you wrong. The senior made the most of his career-high 39 minutes by registering a game-high 23 points with 10 rebounds for a double double as the Stags came from behind to defeat Marist College by an 87-85 count in double overtime at the Arena at Harbor Yard.

            The game lasted 50 minutes, but it was the closing minutes of regulation that proved to be the most crucial for the Stags. After watching a 13-point first-half and a six-point halftime lead disappear, Fairfield had to claw its way back into contention at the end of regulation.

            Fairfield trailed by seven points with 100 seconds remaining on the game clock. But as Ed Cooley said, "As long as there is time on the clock, you have a chance to win." So, the Stags heeded their coach's words and went to work, beginning with Mamadou Dikahate's three-point basket at the 1:37 mark to make the score 70-66. Marist pushed the lead back to six points after David Devezin netted a pair of free throws.

            Jonathan Han countered Devezin's charity tosses with a pair of his own to pull Fairfield back within four points at 72-68. Twenty second later, O'Sullivan laid the ball in the basket, making it a one possession game at 72-70 with 44 seconds left. Marist tried to put the game away with 14 seconds remaining, but Ryan Schneider's three-point shot caromed off the rim and into the hands of Warren Edney.

            The Stags had one more chance to send the game into overtime or win it out right with their final possession. Han took control with a driving layup with 2.6 seconds remaining to tie the score at 72-72, which would remain the score at the final buzzer.

            In the first overtime, Ben Farmer gave Marist the lead with a three-point shot on the team's first possession. The Stags answered with back-to-back lay ups by Diakhate and Herbie Allen to take the lead at 76-75. Farmer regained the lead for the Red Foxes with two free throws, giving the visitors a 77-76 lead.

            Fairfield had a chance to put the game away when Diakhate was fouled shooting a three-point shot, and Marist was whistled for a technical foul to give the Stags five free throws. Han made one of the two technical foul shots and Diakhate made one of three shots to result in a mere one-point lead at 78-77.

            Jay Gavin gave the visitors a two-point edge when he converted a three-point play with 55 seconds remaining, making the score 80-78. With 19 seconds on the clock, Anthony Johnson was fouled trying to convert an offensive rebound. The sophomore netted both free throws to tie the game, which would eventually send the game into a second overtime.

            O'Sullivan started the second overtime with a lay up which nudged Fairfield in front at 82-80. A three-point basket by Gavin and two free throws by Spongy Benjamin gave the Red Foxes another three-point edge at 85-82 with 1:38 on the clock. O'Sullivan nailed a 15-footer to erase part of the lead at 85-84. After Schneider missed a three pointer for Marist, Jonathan Han came off a screen and went straight to the basket for a lay up with 12 seconds left, giving the Stags an 86-85 lead. After Schneider missed a lay up, Anthony Johnson grabbed the rebound and was fouled. He made one of two free throws with one second left for a two-point Fairfield lead at 87-85.

            Shae McNamara's in-bound pass was deflected away as time expired and secured the Fairfield win.

            Han finished the game with 21 points and five assists as he played all 50 minutes of the game. Anthony Johnson also netted a double double with 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Stags. Benjamin tallied a double double with a team-high 16 points and 13 rebounds, while Devezin played all 50 minute and tallied 14 points for the Red Foxes.

            Fairfield returns to action on Saturday, February 23 when it travels to Drexel University. Game time is slated for 4 pm.