Jan. 20, 2002
Balitmore, Md. -- Deng Gai scored a game-high 17 points and added nine rebounds, helping Fairfield pick up a 64-53 road win against Loyola College. Gai connected on eight of 13 shots from the floor, and also blocked three shots in the win.
The Stags trailed only once in the game, taking control with a game opening 9-2 run behind five points by Ajou Deng. Loyola quickly worked its way back into the game with back-to-back three pointers by B.J. Davis and Lucious Jordan. Fairfield worked the lead back to seven points on layups by Deng, Gai and Rob Thomson.
The Greyhounds would not relent though, tying the game for the first time at 15-15 following two free throws by Lindbergh Chatman. Loyola gained its only lead of the game at 17-15 with 9:33 remaining.
However, Fairfield would hold the Greyhounds scoreless for the next nine-plus minutes, which enabled the Red and White to put together a 21-0 run for a 36-17 advantage. Bernard Allen's three-pointer stopped the drought with a three-pointer with 25 seconds left. Sam Spann answered with a buzzer-beating layup, giving the Stags a 38-20 halftime lead.
Trailing by 20 points early in the second half, Loyola went on a 17-6 run to cut the lead, 44-37, with 10:19 remaining. Fairfield halted the Greyhound comeback bid, never allowing the home team to come closer than seven points.
Deng finished the game with 12 points, nine rebounds and a block, while Thomson came off the bench to score 11 points. Jordan paced the Loyola attack with 12 points, while Damien Jenifer added 10 points.
