Feb. 14, 2002
Bridgeport, Conn. -- Nick Eppehimer scored a game-high 21 points, including eight points in the final four minutes of play, to lift Marist College (17-7 overall, 11-4 MAAC) to a 76-64 win over Fairfield University (8-16, 6-9).
Marist jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the first four minutes of the game, a run capped by a three-point field goal by Eppehimer. Fairfield cut the lead to three points with consecutive layups by Sam Spann, making the score 9-6. The Red Foxes answered the Stags' spurt with a 10-0 run which turned the deficit into double-digits, 19-6, with 13:01 remaining. Eppehimer scored a pair of three-point baskets during that run.
The Stags crept back into the game, trailing by only six points at 28-22 with 4:43 remaining, thanks in part to a 16-9 run. Ajou Deng paced the Stags comeback with five points, three which came on a three pointer. Marist remained in control with an 11-2 run, which increased its lead to 15 points, 39-24 with five seconds remaining. Spann's three-pointer at the buzzer finished off the scoring, giving the Red Foxes a 39-27 lead.
Fairfield dominated the first eight minutes of the second half, putting together a 17-4 start which put the Stags ahead for the first time at 44-43 with 12:09 remaining following a fast break layup by Jeremy Logan. Five different players scored during the Fairfield run, led by four points from both Rob Thomson and Logan. The Stags held their biggest advantage with 9:11 left to play, 51-47.
While Marist's defense held Fairfield to one field goal in the final nine minutes, the offense took full advantage with a 23-3 run to turn that four-point deficit into a 16-point lead, 70-54. Eppehimer tallied eight points during the decisive run.
Spann finished the game with a Fairfield high 19 points, while Deng completed a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
