Jan. 2, 2005
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Terrence Todd and DeWitt Maxwell each scored a career-high in Fairfield University's (6-5 overall, 3-1 MAAC) 80-63 win over Iona College (4-8, 0-3) at the Arena at Harbor Yard. Todd led all scorers with 27 points, while Maxwell made 12 of 13 field goal attempts en route to his 26-point afternoon. It marked the second time this year that the two players each scored 20 or more points in a game.
The Stags started the game slowly, which allowed Iona to take a 4-0 lead in the opening minutes. Fairfield scored its first points until Marty O'Sullivan tossed in a put-back basket at the 16:11 mark of the first half, making the score 4-2. O'Sullivan's hoop started a seven-point run which culminated in Tyquawn Goode's three-pointer at 13:44 to put Fairfield in the lead for good at 7-4.
The Gaels answered with Charles Henson's lay up, closing the gap to 7-6 with 13:06 remaining. Once again, the Red and White put together a scoring string which pushed their advantage to 17-6 at the 11:57 mark. The last six points of that 10-0 run came courtesy of Todd, who scored back-to-back lay ups and followed with consecutive three-point baskets.
Iona managed to cut the lead to nine point at 17-8 when Steve Burtt made one of two free throws, the last time the visiting team would have a deficit under 10 points for the remainder of the game. Fairfield eventually doubled the Iona point total by intermisstion, going into the locker room with a 36-18 advantage.
Fairfield opened the second half with a 7-3 spurt to put its advantage to 22 points, its biggest lead to that point. The Stags continue to build upon its lead until it reached 26 points at 55-29 with 13:11 remaining in the game. Iona used a 10-0 run to cut the lead to 16 points at 55-39, as Burtt hit two three-pointers and Henson added four points.
The Gaels came as close at 12 points at 62-50 following two free throws by Henson. But, Fairfield 12 of the next 17 points to keep pressure on the Gaels, pushing the lead back to 19 points at 74-55. Maxwell scored nine straight points during that run.
Four Iona players reached double figures in the game, led by Burtt and Henson with 18 and 14 points, respectively. Tyquawn Goode went into double digits with 11 points, complimenting his eight assists and three rebounds.
Fairfield returns to action on January 5 when it travels up Interstate 95 for a game against Yale University. Game time slated for 7:30 pm.
