March 2, 2003
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- For the second time in school history, the Fairfield University men's basketball team enters the MAAC tournament as the number two seed. The Stags earned that ranking after finishing the conference season with a 13-5 mark, tying the school standard for most conference wins (1985-86 team finished 13-1).
Fairfield will gains a first-round bye with its seeding, keeping the team out of action until March 8. On that evening, the Red and White will play the winner of the Saint Peter's-Rider game, which is scheduled for 7:15 pm on March 7. All the action takes place at the Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton, N.J.
In 1985-86, Fairfield garnered its only number one seed, and went on to win the MAAC tournament title. The Stags tied for the MAAC regular-season title in 1995-96, but lost the tie-breaker to Iona College. As the number two seed, the Red and White advanced to the MAAC tournament championship, but lost in the title game to Canisius College. Fairfield received a NIT berth that season.
The team comes off a 69-51 win over Loyola College on March 1, the team's second straight road victory. With the win, Fairfield posted its ninth road victory and won its 17th game of the season. Deng Gai and Oscar Garcia enter the tournament tied for the team lead in scoring, both averaging 12.8 points per contest.
2003 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament
(Sovereign Bank Arena, Trenton, N.J.)
Friday, March 7 #10 Loyola College vs. #5 Iona College - 5:00 PM #7 Saint Peter's College vs. #8 Rider University - 7:15 PM #9 Canisius College vs. #6 Marist College - 9:30 PM
Saturday, March 8 #4 Niagara University vs. Iona/Loyola winner - 4:30 PM #2 Fairfield University vs. Saint Peter's/Rider winner - 7:00 PM #3 Siena College vs. Marist/Canisius winner - 9:15 PM
