Quinnipiac University
Fairfield
QU Men's Basketball Stunned by Fairfield in Overtime, 56-52
12/7/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
HAMDEN, Conn. – The Quinnipiac University men's basketball team was stunned in overtime on Sunday afternoon, falling short to in-state rival Fairfield, 56-52, at the TD Bank Sports Center.
Few shots fell from either side, but none bigger than Fairfield junior Marcus Gilbert's three-pointer with 1.4 seconds remaining to force overtime. Fairfield (4-5, 2-0 MAAC) carried its momentum into the extra period, outscoring Quinnipiac 10-6 to claim the win.
Quinnipiac struggled early on but managed to overcome a double-digit deficit to take its first lead of the game 6:12 into the second half. Trailing by eight at the break, Quinnipiac held Fairfield to just one field goal through the first 12 minutes of the second half – resulting in an 18-6 run for the Bobcats. Quinnipiac seemed to turn the corner and looked primed to escape with the victory.
Ahead by four with 1:23 remaining in regulation, things began to falter for Quinnipiac. Gilbert knocked down a layup at the 1:17 mark to cut the margin to two, and Quinnipiac's Zaid Hearst (Bethesda, Maryland) made 1-of-2 from the free-throw to make it a three point game with 22 seconds left. Quinnipiac put together a tremendous half court defensive set, but couldn't prevent Gilbert's last stitch effort from finding the nylon. Gilbert hit a three with 1.4 seconds remaining from 26 feet out to send the game to overtime.
Momentum carried into overtime as Fairfield's defense held Quinnipiac scoreless through the first 2:38 of the extra period. The Stags built a five point lead after a Mike Kirkland layup with 1:13 remaining.
Quinnipiac cut the deficit to two, 54-52, after four straight points from senior Ousmane Drame (Boston, Massachusetts), but Quinnipiac came up empty on its final possession allowing Fairfield to escape with the victory. The empty possession resulted in a fast-break layup for Fairfield to solidify the 56-52 final score.
The Bobcats were led by Hearst and Drame in the losing effort. Hearst netted 20 points going 6-for-12 from the field. Drame registered his 29th career double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds. He also added three blocked shots.
Offensive woes plagued the Bobcats all night long. Quinnipiac shot 30 percent from the floor and had compiled 20 turnovers by games end.
Defensively, Quinnipiac held Fairfield to 34.5 percent shooting, forcing 11 Stag turnovers. The Bobcats went plus-20 on the glass, 51-31, including 17 offensive rebounds.
Justin Harris (Paterson, New Jersey) had eight points going 8-for-10 from the free-throw line. Chandler had seven points and four assists.
Fairfield, who evened the all-time series up at 2-2, was led by Steve Johnston with 14 points. Kirkland added 13 and Gilbert had 11.
Quinnipiac is off until next Sunday, Dec. 14 when the Bobcats travel to Boston University. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Case Gymnasium on the University's campus. The Terriers fell to 2-5 after an 11-point loss to Saint Peter's yesterday.
(Ousmane Drame and Zaid Hearst honored for joining the 1,000 point club at Quinnipiac)
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