March 16, 2003
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Good news came to Fairfield University head basketball coach Tim O'Toole late Sunday night. Not only did his Stags gain a post-season berth to the National Invitation Tournament, but they also gained a first-round home game against Boston College. The game is set for Tuesday, March 18th at the Arena at Harbor Yard. Game time is 7:30 pm.
The Stags will play their first post-season tournament game under O'Toole on Tuesday night, and the first for the program since the 1997 NCAA tournament. The Stags lost to top-seeded North Carolina that year, 82-74, after leading the Tar Heels by seven points at half time.
Fairfield owns a 19-11 overall record, which includes a 13-5 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) mark. The 13 conference wins ties the school record, which was also achieved during the 1985-86 campaign. The team is led by All-MAAC first teamer Deng Gai, who averages team-highs for both points (12.8 ppg) and rebounds (6.8 rpg). The sophomore also ranks fourth in the nation with 3.8 blocks per contest (92 blocks in 24 games).
Boston College is led by senior guard Troy Bell, who earned the Big East Player of the Year award for 2002-03. He averaged a team-high 25.4 points per game, helping the Eagles post an 18-11 overall record and a 10-6 Big East slate. Freshman Craig Smith paces the front court with 19.8 points per game, receiving All-Big East second team and All-Rookie honors.
The Stags make their fifth appearance in the NIT, owning a 1-4 mark. The Eagles enter the NIT for the 10th time, bringing a 15-10 record into this year's competition.
Tickets can be purchased immediately by calling Ticketmaster at (203) 368-1000; through www.ticketmaster.com; or in purchase at the Arena box office (9 am to 4 pm on Monday; 9 am to game time on Tuesday).
