Dec. 3, 2005
IOWA CITY, Iowa - Terrence Todd scored a game-high 18 points, while Michael Van Schaick and Danny Oglesby each added 14 markers as the Fairfield University men's basketball team posted an 80-68 win over Tulane University in the consolation game of the Hawkeye Challenge at the University of Iowa. Todd netted all 18 of his points in the second half, helping the Stags push a four-point halftime lead into a double digit victory.
Fairfield remained in control of this game from the outset, taking the lead for good five minutes into the first half and never looking back. Tulane tried to push the ball inside at the beginning, but a smothering defense frustrated the Green Wave and forced the team to kick the ball outside on many occasions.
The Stags' offense flourished in the first half, thanks to superb outside shooting by Jonathan Han, Danny Oglesby, and Michael Van Schaick. The three players combined to make seven of eight three-point attempts in the first 20 minutes, as Fairfield shot 64 percnet from behind the arc as a team. Despite the accurate shooting, the Stags could only secure a four-point halftime lead.
Tulane fell behind by eight points in the first four minutes of the second half, as Michael Bell scored back-to-back baskets and Oglesby added a three-pointer to open the period. Tulane climbed back into the game over the next six minutes, pulling to within two points at 47-45 following a three-point play by David Gomez. It would be the last Tulane basket for more than eight minutes, scoring its next eight points from the free throw line. The streak broke when Donnie Stith hit a three-pointer with 2:08 left in the game, making the score 65-56 at that point.
The Stags also enjoyed a great deal of success at the free throw line during the game, finishing the game with 21 free throws in 25 attempts in the second half after not attempting a charity toss in the first 20 minutes. The Stags connected on 14 straight free throws from the five minute mark to the 40-second mark.
Tulane never came closer than nine points in the final six minutes of the game, and trailed by double digits for nearly that entire time. Andrew Garcia paced the Tulane offense with 18 points, while Gomez added 14 points. Han also reached double digits for the Stags, ending the game with 11 points.
Fairfield returns to action on Friday, December 9 when it plays its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opener against unbeaten Loyola College at the Arena at Harbor Yard. Game time is slated for 8:30 pm.
