Inside the Numbers: Breaking Down the Stags Victory Over Loyola

A very fun game to be at overall. I really enjoyed myself and had to hold myself back from cheering when Han hit that three pointer. It was definitely one of the best basketball games I have ever seen. Its too bad more Fairfield students weren't there to see it with me...

The way Loyola Head Coach Jimmy Patsos acted on the sideline made me want Fairfield to win even more. His actions are a disgrace to basketball coaching. If the referees had any guts, he would have been tossed out of the game a couple times in the final ten minutes.

Anyways, the game story is online now, check it out and be sure to look for even more in depth coverage on Thursday when the print edition hits the racks.

Here are a few interesting stats from tonight's game:

• Two keys to tonight's win: Defense and Rebounding. It was a matchup of the two top defensive teams in the MAAC and Fairfield was up to the test. First of all, Gerald Brown was held way under his scoring average with 13 points. Second of all, Loyola shot only 39.3% from the floor (Fairfield was even worse at 36.8%). Finally, Fairfield came up with nine turnovers in the second half, including four in the final three minutes. On the boards Fairfield, the worst defensive rebounding team in the MAAC, out rebound Loyola 37-34. None more important than Michael Van Schaick `07 grabbing an offensive rebound on his own missed free throw.
• Fairfield created 18 points off of turnovers.
• The Stags won in spite of their offense, which was at times dreadful. They finished with a 36.8 shooting percentage and were just 6-for-19 from three. Van Schaick was shut down by the Greyhounds box and 1 defense, which resulted in just 1 three pointer for the star senior.
• Anthony Johnson picked up his first career double double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He was 6-for-12 from the floor and could have easily finished with 16-18 points. He is an amazing athlete and should just continue to get better and better.

Marist on Thursday is the next test for the Stags, can they continue on this streak or not? I'm anxious to find out.

-Tom Cleary