Box Score 

           RIVERDALE, N.Y. -  Three Fairfield student athletes reached double figures but it was not enough to overcome a strong second half by Manhattan College as the Jaspers posted a 65-60 win over the Stags Monday night at Draddy Gymnasium.

            After Manhattan scored the game's first points, Ryan Olander gave Fairfield its first lead of the game with a three-point play that made the score 3-2 just over a minute into the game. The Jaspers went on a 10-0 run over the next six minutes that gave the home team its biggest lead of the game at 12-3.

            Fairfield slowly climbed back into the game courtesy of  Mike Evanovich, who hit two three pointers in a two-minute span that helped Fairfield close the lead 17-16 with 5:41 on the clock. His second three-point basket started a 7-0 Stags run that allowed Fairfield to gain its biggest lead at 23-17 with 3:05 on the clock. The Jaspers closed out the half with 7-2 spurt, three of which came off free throws from Chris Smith, that tied the game at intermission, 25-25.

            The Jaspers came out in the second half by scoring the first eight points, including five points from Darryl Crawford and another three-point shot by Chris Smith. Manhattan continued to build on its lead over the next four minutes and pushed the lead to 11 points at 41-30 with 13:15 on the clock.

            Trailing by 10 points at 52-42 with 6:44 remaining, the Stags mounted a strong comeback over the next two minutes that cut the deficit to one point at 54-53. Greg Nero started the run with a pair of free throws. Lyndon Jordan added a free throw and Herbie Allen made a three pointer to cut the lead to six points at 54-48. Jonathan Han stepped to the free throw line and connected on a pair of free throws to make the score 54-50.

            Fairfield pulled to within a point after Anthony Johnson's three-point play as the lead was just one point, 54-53 t the 4:38 mark. Johnson's basket would Fairfield's last field goal until Han netted a three-point shot with 20 seconds remaining. The Stags' drought allowed the Jaspers to rebuild its lead to as many as seven points, 62-55, with 49 seconds left.

            Mike Evanovich and Jonathan Han each scored 11 points for the Stags. Ryan Olander also reached double figures for Fairfield, scoring a career-high 10 points.

            Fairfield returns to action on Friday night when it hosts Marist College at the Arena at Harbor Yard. Game time is slated for 7:30 pm.