Two of the highest scoring teams in the MAAC will meet in Bridgeport, Connecticut on Tuesday night when the Canisius Golden Griffins play at Fairfield. Canisius is coming off a 98-75 loss on Sunday to Iona, while the Stags have won two straight.
The Canisius men’s basketball team returns to action tonight when the team plays at Fairfield. The Golden Griffins are 10-6 overall and 3-2 after losing to Iona 98-75 on Sunday. The 23-point loss to the Gaels is the largest for the Griffs this year. The loss at Iona ended Canisius’ seven-game winning streak, the program’s longest win streak since the 1998-99 season. The Griffs are averaging 86.4 points per game in their last 11 outings since scoring a season-low 58 points in a loss to Tennessee State Nov. 23. Canisius had 16 assists on 29 made field in the loss at Iona. The Griffs rank third nationally in assist-to-field goal ratio, per kenpom.com. Junior Jermaine Crumpton scored a team-high 21 points at Iona. He comes into this game averaging 19.2 points per game in the team’s last five outings. Junior Kassius Robertson knocked down three 3-point field goals at Iona. He ranks 14th in the nation with 3.3 3-point field goal makes per game.
Tonight’s game will mark the 82nd all-time meeting between these two Jesuit schools, with Fairfield holding a 46-35 lead in the series.• Last season, Fairfield swept the regular-season series between the two schools. Prior to that, Canisius had won four straight, dating back to the 2013-14 season. The Griffs are 5-10 against the Stags in Webster Bank Arena. Canisius has won three of its last five trips to Fairfield’s home court.
Fairfield is 8-5 overall and 3-1 in MAAC play after defeating Manhattan 97-79 on the road Jan. 5. The Stags, who open a three-game homestand tonight, are 3-1 at home this season. Fairfield is averaging 79.3 points per game on their home floor. As a team, Fairfield is averaging 77.9 points per game, which ranks third in the MAAC. The Stags come into tonight’s game averaging 95 points per game in their last two contests (both wins). Junior Tyler Nelson leads the MAAC and ranks 45th in the nation with his 19.7 points per game scoring average. Senior forward Amadou Sidibe leads the league and ranks 23rd nationally with his 10.2 rebounds per contest. Sophomore Curtis Cobb was named the MAAC’s Player of the Week on Monday. He scored a career-high 46 points in the team’s win over Manhattan Jan. 5. Those 46 points tied the MAAC’s single-game scoring record as well.
The Griffs’ win at St. Bonaventure in Olean, New York Dec. 22 improved the Blue and Gold to 6-3 on the road this season. Canisius is tied with Jacksonville State and Texas Southern for the second-most road wins in the nation. Rider leads the country with seven road victories. This season also marks the first time in the program’s 113-year history where the Griffs have won six road games before Jan. 1.
After scoring a season-low 58 points in a home loss to Tennessee State Nov. 23, Canisius has turned on the scoring effort in the last 11 games. The Griffs are averaging 86.4 points per game in their last 11 games. For the year, Canisius is good for 80.5 points per game, which leads the MAAC and 48th in the country.
The Griffs will return home Jan. 14 when the team plays host to Marist in the Koessler Athletic Center. The first meeting of the season between Canisius and Marist is set to tip-off at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3. Canisius will close out the regular-season series against Monmouth when the teams meet in Buffalo Jan. 16.
from GoGriffs.com via IFTTT
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