Fairfield avoids upset, nips Manhattan 61-59

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Derek Needham scored 16 points and hit a 3-pointer with 8 seconds to play, and Fairfield beat Manhattan 61-59 on Friday night for its fourth win in a row.

Neither team led by more than four points after the first 6 minutes of the game. Manhattan led 59-54 with 1:40 to play, but Fairfield finished with a 7-0 run.

Fairfield got to 59-58 on two free throws by Ryan Olander with 25 seconds to play. Demetrius Jemison committed a turnover on Manhattan's next possession, leading to Needham's game-winning shot.

Olander added 14 points, and Yorel Hawkins and Maurice Barrow each had 12 for the Stags (16-4, 9-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference), who won their fourth consecutive game.

Manhattan (3-18, 1-9) lost its third in a row despite outrebounding Fairfield 33-29 and shooting 46.3 percent (25 of 54) from the field.

George Beamon led the Jaspers with 19 points.