NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Fairfield got a strong performance from its back court, and accomplished what few teams have – walk out of Lee Amphitheater with a victory. Jasper Floyd, Caleb Fields and Jalen Leach combined for 56 points to lead the Stags to a 75-71 victory over the Bulldogs.
Yale (5-5) had won nearly 84 percent of its home games dating back to the start of the 2014-15 season entering the night.
TURNING POINT
Matt Knowling's bucket gave the Bulldogs a 10-point lead, 61-51, with six minutes remaining. The Stags, though, scored the next nine points.
Bez Mbeng made one of two free throws to stop the run, but Field answered with a three-pointer and Leach scored on a fast break. Two free throws from
Danny Wolf, pulled the Bulldogs back within one, but then Fields hit the biggest shot of the game, a three-pointer from the wing with a minute remaining. Fairfield made its free throws down the stretch, and Yale never got closer than four.
SCORING LEADERS
All five Yale starters scored in double figures, led by Knowling, who had 14 points. Mbeng and
John Poulakidas each added 13,
August Mahoney had 12 and Wolf finished with 11.
Floyd paced Fairfield with 25 points.
TOWNSEND NARROWLY MISSES DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Nick Townsend finished with eight points and 10 rebounds. He was 3-of-4 from the field.
KEY STAT
The Stags shot 50 percent (15-of-30) from the field and outscored Yale 46-38 in the second half.
QUOTING JONES
"We are not connected offensively or defensively right now, and that is what is hurting us," said
James Jones, The Joel E. Smilow, Class of 1954 Head Coach of the Bulldogs. "We are not playing together. We are not playing Yale basketball, and we are not where we need to be to be successful.
"Fairfield has a very good backcourt. I give credit to them. They played hard, they played really well, and they played for 40 minutes."
NOTES:
• The loss snapped Yale's 12-game winning streak against in-state opponents.
• Wolf scored in double figures for the seventh straight game.
• The Bulldogs outrebounded the Stags 34-32.
WHAT'S NEXT
Yale is right back at Lee Amphitheater on Friday, hosting Colby-Sawyer. Tip off is slated for 7 p.m.
