Jan 29, 2004
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- All five Fairfield University starters scored in double digits, led by junior guard Tyquawn Goode's 14 points, as the Stags posted an 84-72 win over Saint Peter's College. Goode also registered team-highs with seven rebounds and five assists.
Saint Peter's jumped out to an early 9-4 lead, sparked by a three-point basket and a layup by Ron Yates. Fairfield slowly cut into that deficit, until it gained its first lead of the game at 12-11 off Michael Van Schaick's three-point basket with 16 minutes remaining in the first half. The two teams played each other close over the next few minutes, and were tied at 19-19 with eight minutes on the clock.
The Red and White used a 13-4 spurt over the next six minutes to take the biggest lead for either team, a 32-23 advantage with two minutes left in the half. The Stags settled for a seven-point lead at intermission, scoring the final basket of the half on a fast-break slam dunk by Rob Thomson with a second left in the period.
The Fairfield lead reached 10 points for the first time following a three-point basket by Kudjo Sogadzi, hitting the shot with 18 minutes remaining. The Peacocks remained in the vicinity of 10 points until a quick run midway through the half made it more interesting, as Rafael Martinez's layup cut the lead to six points, 59-53. The deficit remained at six points with five minutes left in the game, 68-62, as Shane Nichol's trey kept the game close.
The Stags put the game out of reach with by scoring 10 of the next 11 points, pushing their lead to 14 points at 77-63 with 3:43 on the clock. Goode was responsible for half of those points, hitting a three pointer and adding a pair of free throws. Saint Peter's never came closer than nine points, as Fairfield finished up the game with 12 point win.
DeWitt Maxwell, Michael Bell and Rob Thomson each scored 13 points for the Stags, while Kudjo Sogadzi added 12 markers for the Stags. Van Schaick just missed double digits, finishing up with nine points. Saint Peter's guard Keydren Clark led all scorers with 23 points, followed by Yates' 17 points.
