Dec. 22, 2003
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- It's been a while since the Stags last donned their red and white uniforms, two weeks to be exact. Fairfield returns to the hardwood on December 23 as it hosts George Washington University in a non-conference match up at the Arena at Harbor Yard. Please note that game time is slated for 5 p.m.
The Red and White have not played a game since a 74-60 win over Marist College on December 9, which also represented Fairfield's Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opener. The victory marked the second straight double-digit decision for the Stags, and improved the team's overall record to 4-1.
Part of the reason for Fairfield's fast start comes from the team's balanced scoring attack. Going into tomorrow night, four players are averaging better than 10 points per game - Deng Gai (14.4 ppg), Rob Thomson (14.2 ppg), Terrence Todd (14.0 ppg) and DeWitt Maxwell (10.4 ppg).
Plus, the Stags defense continues to frustrate the opposition. Fairfield continues to hold the opponent to long scoring droughts, something that it did on a couple occasions against Marist. With that defense, Head Coach Tim O'Toole has watched his squad hold the opposition to 60 points or less in every game but one, and it took Fordham an overtime period to do it (13 of 72 points came in overtime).
Tonight marks the final home game for quite some time, as the Stags get ready to embark on a month-long road trip which starts with three games in three nights on the Hawaiian Islands. After that trip, Fairfield hosts Michigan at Madison Square Garden on January 3 before returning to the road for games at Duke and Elon on January 6 and 8, respectively. All in all, that portion of the schedule gives Fairfield six games in 17 days, and traveling more than 12,000 miles to do it.
George Washington comes into tonight's game with a 6-3 record, which includes a 72-62 loss to Old Dominion on the road last Saturday. The Colonials started the season with four straight wins, three of which came at home. In fact, GW has yet to lose a home game this year (4-0). One of its losses came to nationally-ranked Gonzaga in the championship game of the BB&T Classic final (96-91).
The team, guided by former UConn assistant coach Karl Hobbs, boasts the talents of T.J. Thompson and Pops Mensah-Bonsu. Thompson represents the team's top three-point shooting threat, netting 25 of 59 attempts from behind the arc this year. He collected seven three-point baskets in 12 attempts in the Gonzaga game, en route to a 28-point performance. He leads the team with a 15.4 scoring average.
Pops Mensah-Bonsu is second among his teammates with a 13.4 scoring average. The sophomore forward places second in the nation with a .763 field goal percentage, which includes his eight baskets in nine attempts against Old Dominion last weekend. As a freshman, he led the team in field goal percentage at .585.
To purchase tickets to the December 23 game against George Washington, simply visit the Arena box office, call (203) 254-4103 or visit the Fairfield University athletics website ticket page or www.ticketmaster.com.
