UNCASVILLE, Conn. – The Yale men's basketball team began the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off in dominant fashion. The Bulldogs easily dispatched Fairfield 91-66 at Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday afternoon.
With the win, Joel E. Smilow '54 Head Coach of Men's Basketball,
James Jones earned his 400
th career victory. The Bulldogs improved to 4-3 overall this season. The Stags fell to 2-4 overall.
Statistical Leaders
- John Poulakidas continued his hot shooting with a game-high 22 points. The senior sharpshooter was 6-for-7 from beyond the arc, with five threes coming in the first half. His six makes set a season-high.
- Three other Bulldogs registered double-digit point totals. Nick Townsend scored 16 points. Samson Aletan added 15 while pulling down seven rebounds, and Isaac Celiscar logged 10 points off the bench.
- Bez Mbeng set a new career-high with 11 assists.
- Jack Molloy was particularly effective off the bench, scoring eight points on 4-of-5 shooting in only nine minutes of playing time.
Game Notes
- The Bulldogs started hot and fast, opening the game on a 31-11 run.
- Yale dominated in the paint with 44 points compared to 20 from the Stags.
- Yale was excellent from the free throw line, making 18-of-20 attempts.
- Fairfield was led by Noah Best and Makuei Riek who combined for 26 points.
Bulldog Notes
- Poulakidas picked up his seventh game in double figure points. He has scored 20+ points in five of seven games this season. Over the past four games, the senior has made 18-of-25 three-pointers.
- Mbeng tallied double-digit assists totals for the second time in his collegiate career. He set his previous career-high of 10 last season against Harvard. Mbeng also tied his season-high in steals with three.
- The Bulldogs scored their second-highest point total of the season, trailing only their 100-point performance against Emerson on Nov. 13.
- Yale took care of the ball well, with a season-low of five turnovers throughout the duration of the game.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will play the University of Delaware on Sunday at 6 p.m. in the team's second game of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off.