Jan. 12, 2006
LEWISTON, N.Y. -- Terrence Todd led Fairfield University with 18 points and eight rebounds, but it was not enough to overcome Niagara University in a 78-73 loss to the Purple Eagles on the road. Michael Van Schaick and DeWitt Maxwell each added 16 points to the Stags cause. Six Niagara players reached double figures in the game, led by J.R. Duffey's 18 markers.
The Stags started the game quickly with a 16-3 run that gave Fairfield its biggest lead of the game. Mamadou Diakhate scored five of those point in the opening three minutes. Niagara answered with its own spurt, outscoring the visitors by a 19-3 count over the next seven minutes to secure its first lead at 22-20 with 10 minutes remaining on the clock.
The Purple Eagles led by as many as eight points during the opening half, holding a 31-23 advantage with 6:23 on the clock. However, Fairfield slowly cut into that deficit before finally falling one-point short at halftime, 44-43.
DeWitt Maxwell started the second half by making one of two free throws to tie the game at 44-44 in the opening minute. The Stags eventually regained the lead at 51-50 with 15:52 remaining, a lead which grew to four points following Van Schaick's three-point basket. Fairfield held onto its lead until the seven-minute mark when Duffey's three pointer pushed the Purple Eagles back in front at 67-65.
The Stags fell behind by four points before Maxwell and Diakhate put together back-to-back layups to tie the score at 69-69. Van Schaick continued the run with a pair of free throws to give Fairfield another lead at 71-69. Niagara tied the score on a Duffey jumper, and took the lead when James Mathis made one of two free throws for a 72-71 advantage.
Van Schaick hit another jumper to give Fairfield its final points of the game and a 73-72 lead with 59 seconds left. Charron Fisher came down court and scored a traditional three-point play, and added a steal and dunk for five quick points and a 77-73 lead with 22 seconds remaining.
Niagara made 12 of 24 three-point shots in the game, and shot 51 percent from the floor.
