Jan. 22, 2005
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Deng Gai recorded a double double with 18 points and 13 blocks, one shy of the NCAA Division I single-game block record, as Fairfield University (9-8 overall, 6-2 MAAC) posted an 80-58 win over Siena College (3-14 overall, 1-5 MAAC) at the Arena at Harbor Yard.
The Stags never trailed in the game, starting the game with a quick 15-6 spurt. Tyquawn Goode paced the run with five points, while DeWitt Maxwell and Gai added four points each. Siena swingman Michael Haddix cut into the lead with a three-point play to make the score 15-9 wth 14:17 remaining in the first half.
Fairfield responded with eight straight points over the next three minutes, which pushed the lead to 23-9 with 11:04 left in the half. A three-point play by Gai and a three-point basket by Goode was instrumental in turning the deficit into double digits. Siena answered Fairfield's run with a 7-0 string that cut the lead in half at 23-16 with five minutes on the clock.
The Stags put things out of reach with a 13-0 run over the next three minutes to secure their biggest lead at 36-16 with 2:26 remaining. Gai netted five points while DeWitt Maxwell netted four markers during the run. Fairfield settled for an 18-point halftime lead at 41-23.
The Red and White enjoyed a solid second half, hitting five three pointers and shooting nearly 50 percent overall from the floor. Gai finished the second half with seven blocks, doubling his first half total of six rejections. Terrence Todd paced the final 20 minutes with a team-best nine points.
Four Fairfield players reached double figures in the victory, led by Gai's 18 points. Goode added 13 points, while Todd and Maxwell added 11 and 10 markers, respectively. Brent Sniezyk was the only Siena College player to reach double digits, netting 11 points by making five of nine field goal attempts.
The Stags return to action on Friday, January 28 when they host Canisius College in a MAAC game.
