Loyola 66 Fairfield 65

The Fairfield University men's basketball team (12-4, 5-1 MAAC) ended their 11 game winning streak as they were edged by the Loyola Greyhounds (7-9, 3-3 MAAC). Click for a complete recap and boxscore.

The Least You Should Know:
-This is the first loss for the Stags since late November when they were defeated by St.Joseph at the Webster Bank Arena. Speaking of streaks, this is the first time they lost at Loyola since 1998. They previously had a 13 game winning streak on the road against the Greyhounds.

-This is by far the most points that they allowed to a MAAC team and the most points given up since November 15th when they lost to Rutgers. This is the second most allowed in any game on the season.

-Ryan Olander sat after he picked up his fourth foul, he only played 28 minutes on the game. When he went on the bench Justin Drummond went on a tear and scored 7 points.

-The Stags did have a chance at the end of the game but Ryan Olander could not hit the three pointer, and the Greyhounds followed with a dunk off the inbounds (even though it might have been a 5 second violation)

This was a bad game all over. The defense really struggled as Loyola seemed to be able to score at will, and they did hit alot of clutch threes when they needed it the most. Without Olander, the Stags seemed very thin and Loyola took advantage and really killed the Stags in the paint and all over on offense.

The key stat is of course: 8-19. That is what the entire team did at the free throw line. It was really embarrasing to say the least. They were getting better at the line in recent games but obviously not here. Needham, Edney, and Hawkins who are the team's best free throw shooters went a combined 4-12 from the line. Inexcusable as those three players should be your leaders that step up in crunch time, but Fairfield seemed to be lacking leaders down the stretch.

Before the game the team watched the match between Buster Douglass and Mike Tyson and the coaches explained that they could become like Mike Tyson and just settle to be good, or they could stay hungry. Obviously, they got knocked out.

Player of the Game: Derek Needham with a team high 14 points (4-7 from 3) and 4 assists.

Up Next: The Stags travel to Rider to play the Broncs on Monday 1/17 at 7 PM.

Loyola 54 Fairfield 52

The Fairfield University women's basketball team (10-5, 3-2 MAAC) was edged by the Loyola Greyhounds (7-9, 4-1 MAAC). Click for a complete recap and boxscore.

The Least You Should Know:
-The shooting of the Stags continue to struggle as they went only 4-15 from behind the arc and could not hit a lay up throughout the game, but especially during crunch time as they missed many close baskets today.

-Taryn Johnson had a game high 19 points but only had 5 rebounds. Once again Brittany MacFarlane picked up the slack pulling down 12 boards (the only one in the game to have double digit rebounds)

-Fairfield did do a good job at staying in the game as they did not lead at any point from 17 minutes on and trailed as much as 9 points. They missed 2 layups that would have tied the game and also could no get a rebound.

Ugly loss to say the least. The defense of the Stags really struggled as the Greyhounds seemed to be able to score at will. Maybe it was because of their size as we were all ready for their lack of size to finally bite them at the end of the game. They were giving up easy layups and really gave up multiple runs that I have not seen this year. Plenty of time their defense tried to make them lose this game.

The shooting really needs to get better. They only shot 4-10 from the free throw line which is not going to get it done in the Division 1 level. Johnson who seemed to have turned the corner from the charity stripe only went 1-4 and seems to have taken a step back once again. Inside players such as Vetra and MacFarlane went a combined 3-17 from the floor while Linney went 2-6 from three.

I have heard that ESPN U made us look real bad during the telecast. We deserved it to be honest. You have to be able to hit a lay up and free throws at this level.

Player of the Game: Taryn Johnson for her 19 points and 9-18 from the floor. Even though she did miss some layups which should have given her more points.

Up Next: The Stags return home to play Manhattan on 1/16 starting at 1:00.

Women's Soccer Looking to Clinch MAAC Spot

The Fairfield University women's soccer team is looking to clinch one of the top four spots to qualify for the MAAC tournament. The Stags are currently in third place with 10 points (3-1-1). There is a 3 way tie for fourth place with Canisius, Niagara, and Loyola all deadlocked at 9 points. Fairfield will have 4 games remaining in their regular season. They control their own destiny to clinch a tournament berth. If they win 3 of their final 4 games then they are automatically in. They can also clinch if they go 2-0-2. If they sweep and win all four games then they will clinch the MAAC regular season crown.

It is probably easier said then done as their final four games are all against teams in the race. Canisius and Niagara will travel to Fairfield this weekend. Both teams are tied in fourth with 9 points. Next week the soccer team will wrap up the regular season as they travel to Marist and Siena. Both teams are numbers 1 and 2 respectfully in the MAAC. Siena was the last unbeaten and untied team in the nation and once stood with a #25 ranking.

The only loss the team has in the conference was against Loyola, the only other team in the playoff hunt. The Greyhounds are the only team out of the Championship hopefuls that the Stags have faced.

It is sure going to be an exciting weekend. If they can sweep the series they will be in much better shape but this is a HUGH weekend for them. The downside is that they end the year with four tough opponents. Let's see if they can do it.

Canisius College Friday 7 p.m
Niagara University Sunday 1 p.m

Both games this weekend will be available for viewing on-line through the Stags partnership with Stretch Internet. On Sunday afternoon, Ivey Speight will be providing play-by-play commentary on the broadcast. As always, livestats are available for both games.