Feb. 18, 2002
Bridgeport, Conn. -- Deng Gai scored a game-high 17 points and added five blocks as Fairfield University (10-16 overall, 8-9 MAAC) defeated Canisius College (8-18, 5-12) by a 72-54 score at the Arena At Harbor Yard. Gai made six of nine shots from the field, including three of four three-point shots.
Gai gave Fairfield the lead for good with a three-point basket on the team's second possession of the game. The Golden Griffs stayed with the Stags, eventually tying the score at 7-7 on a three-point play by Brian Dux. Fairfield answered with an 8-0 run, highlighted by a three-point basket by Sam Spann, to take control 15-7 with 8:53 remaining in the half. The lead increased to as many 16 points during the first half, a 32-16 advantage following a pair of free throws by Gai. The Stags settled for a 10-point lead at intermission, as Canisius finished off the half with a pair of free throws by Dux to make the score 32-22.
Fairfield opened the second half with a 13-7 run to regain its 16-point advantage, as Rob Thomson's three-point play made the score 45-29. The Stag lead never fell below 12 points, and eventually ended with an 18-point advantage at 72-54.
Nick Delfico came off the bench to score 12 points, hitting three of four three-pointers, while Spann added a team-high nine rebounds. Toby Foster and Jon Ferris led all Canisius scorers with 10 points each. Foster had both Canisius three-point attempts, as the team finished the game 2 of 23 from behind the three-point arc.
