Jan. 7, 2011

Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Marist men's basketball lost by a score of 59-44 to Fairfield in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game on Friday night at the McCann Center. The Red Foxes were led in scoring by sophomore guard Sam Prescott (Philadelphia, Pa.), who poured in 20 points.

Prescott was the lone Red Fox to score in double digits. His point total was the highest single-game total for any Marist player this season. Junior point guard R.J. Hall (East Orange, N.J.) added nine points to go along with three steals, three assists and two rebounds. Red-shirt freshman Anell Alexis (Hillsborough, N.J.) came off the bench to grab a team-high six rebounds in 12 minutes.

A close first half featured two lead changes and five ties. With 3:35 left in the first half, a three-pointer by Hall tied the score at 21 apiece. However, Fairfield closed the half with an 8-2 run to take a six-point halftime lead.

The Stags then expanded their lead by starting the second half on a 16-3 run over the first 9:18. However, the Red Foxes got back into the game with a 9-0 run of their own - with all nine points coming from Prescott - to make the score 45-35 Fairfield with 8:12 to go. Then, Fairfield pulled away by scoring the next seven points, and the Stags never led by less than 12 the rest of the way.

Keith Matthews came off the bench to lead Fairfield with 12 points, while Yorel Hawkins and Derek Needham added 11 apiece. Fairfield outrebounded Marist 38-27, and the Stags committed just 12 turnovers while forcing 18 from the Red Foxes. Five Stags grabbed at least five rebounds apiece.

Fairfield improved to 11-3 overall and 4-0 in MAAC play, while Marist now stands at 3-13 overall and 2-2 in conference.

The Red Foxes will return to action on Sunday, when they face conference rival Manhattan at Draddy Gymnasium in Riverdale, N.Y. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.