Box Score

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Herbie Allen scored a career-high 24 points while two other Stags tallied a double double as the Fairfield University men's basketball team dropped an 83-76 decision to Niagara. Yorel Hawkins registered 14 points and 11 rebounds while Mike Evanovich recorded 13 points and 10 rebounds.

The Purple Eagles jumped out to a 3-0 lead on their first possession of the game courtesy of a three-point field goal by Rob Garrison. The lead reached five points at 10-5 before Fairfield used a 7-0 run to take a 12-10 lead with 15:37 on the clock. Sophomore Lyndon Jordan played a key role in the run by hitting a three-point field goal and getting a steal which led to the lead basket.

Niagara answered with a 5-0 run that put it in front at 15-12 before Jordan connected on another three-point shot that tied the score at 15-15. With the game still tied at 17-17, Niagara scored 15 of the next 16 points to take its biggest lead of the game to that point at 32-18 with 5:58 remaining in the half. Fairfield chipped away at the double digit deficit with a 10-0 run which was highlighted by a three-point field goal from both Allen and Jordan.

The Stags could pull no closer by halftime and went into intermission trailing by a 39-35 score at the half. The Purple Eagles tallied the first seven points of the second half, all coming in an 80-second span that made the score 46-35 at the 18:41 mark. Once again, Fairfield battled back and cut that deficit in half with 14:26 remaining, trailing by the score of 52-46. Fairfield will pull within five points with just over three minutes remaining in the game at 70-65 after Jordan netted another three-point shot.

At that point, Niagara began a parade to the free throw line and was very successful. The Purple Eagles netted 10 of its final 13 charity tosses over the final 1:19 that ended the Stags come back hopes.

Jordan finished the game with 14 points for the Stags, which tied his career high set against Niagara last week. Benson Egemonye paced the Niagara offense with 23 points, while Rob Garrison added 20 points for the Purple Eagles.

The Stags return to action on February 21 when they host Hofstra University in the ESPNU BracketBuster game. The contest will tip off at 7 pm and will be broadcasted on ESPN 360.com.