Quinnipiac University
Fairfield
Justin Harris Nets 23, QU Men's Basketball holds off Fairfield, 60-59
2/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
- WTNH SportzEdge Video Report
- NEW HAVEN REGISTER: "Justin Harris, Quinnipiac Edge Fairfield, 60-59" by Chris Hunn (Feb. 13, 2015)
- BIG APPLE BUCKETS: "Three Thoughts: Quinnipiac 60, Fairfield 59 (A Bill Carmody Sighting)" by Ray Curren (Feb. 13, 2015)
- HARTFORD COURTANT: "State Colleges: Quinnipiac Slips Past Fairfield" (Feb. 13,2015)
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Friday the 13th had no bearing on the Quinnipiac men's basketball team against in-state rival, Fairfield University.
Senior Justin Harris (Paterson, N.J.) posted a career high 23 points, and Quinnipiac stood its ground defensively on the final possession to escape with a 60-59 victory at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport.
The Bobcats, now winners in three straight games and six of their last eight, improved to 14-10 overall and climbed over the .500 mark in league play for the first time this year (8-7). Fairfield dropped to 6-19 overall and 4-11 in the conference.
Harris was the bright spot offensively, leading all scorers with his first career 20-point game. Harris was unconscious, going 9-of-15 from the floor, 4-of-4 from the free-throw line, and even knocked in his first career three in the win. His 23 points follows a 15-point effort against Niagara, which was also a career high for the senior forward. He added seven rebounds as well.
Quinnipiac trailed for just 24 seconds in the game, but it was a deficit that came in the waning minutes of regulation. Fairfield's first lead of the game came after a Marcus Gilbert layup with 2:19 left to give the Stags a 56-54 advantage.
Short-lived however, Zaid Hearst (Bethesda, Md.) slipped into the lane for a layup, and Ousmane Drame (Boston, Mass.) followed with a dunk to put Quinnipiac back on top, 58-56, with 1:23 remaining.
Three straight free-throws by Gilbert put Fairfield in front with 40 seconds left, setting the stage for Drame in what would be Quinnipiac's final possession. Drame collected in the post on the right block, went up strong and drew a foul in the act to go to the line. He calmly sank both, leaving Fairfield with the ball and 20 seconds remaining.
Typically recognized for their offensive capabilities, Hearst and Drame shut down Gilbert in the game's final possession to secure the victory. Hearst locked him up on the right side, and Drame provided the weak-side help to alter the shot and corral the rebound just as the clock expired. Quinnipiac celebrated at center court.
Hearst powered his way through a tough shooting night to finish with 13 points and seven rebounds. Drame did the same, putting together a strong second half to snag his 41st career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Quinnipiac shot just 35.1 percent from the floor, but held Fairfield to only 38.9 percent. Rebounds were a crucial statistic, QU holding a 42-33 edge – including 18 on the offensive end for 15 second chance points.
At the guard position, Ayron Hutton (Virginia Beach, Va.) had six points, five assists and four rebounds. James Ford, Jr. (Hopewell, Va.) added four points and two rebounds.
Gilbert led the Stags with 22 points and nine rebounds. Tyler Nelson provided a lift with 15 points, nine of which came from long range. Fairfield hit seven in the game, five coming in the second half to overcome an 11-point deficit.
Quinnipiac returns to the hardwood on Sunday, Feb. 15 with a pivotal rematch against Iona College. The Bobcats and the Gaels square off at 4 p.m. at the TD Bank Sports Center in Hamden.
Fans interested in purchasing tickets for the 2014-15 campaign can call the QU Ticket Office at 203-582-3905, visit the official website of Quinnipiac athletics, www.QuinnipiacBobcats.com or make a trip to the TD Bank Sports Center Ticket Office.
Quinnipiac's 'Go For 3' package is still available throughout the remainder of the 2014-15 season. The package allows fans to purchase three men's basketball tickets at a special discounted rate. The 'Go For 3' bundle is $30 for adults and $12 for children and senior citizens.
Student-athletes, parents and fans can download the QU Athletics schedules to your laptop and mobile devices for free by clicking in the iCalendar link at the bottom of each sport's homepage or the master schedule page. Please follow Quinnipiac Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@QUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates.
