BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Yorel Hawkins scored a game-high 15 points and added eight rebounds as the Fairfield University men's basketball team posted a 63-60 win over Canisius College at the Arena at Harbor Yard. The victory improved Fairfield's home winning streak to 10 games, dating back to last season.

            The Golden Griffs, who are winless in six Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) games this season, started the game as well as a road team could be expected. After Herbie Allen gave Fairfield a 2-0 lead just two minutes into the game, the Griffs scored nine straight points to take control at 9-2 with 15:29 remaining in the first half. The Stags pulled within three points following Greg Nero's two free throws which made the score 9-6, but the visitors answered with six consecutive points to gain their biggest lead of the game at 15-9.

            Undaunted by the deficit, Fairfield used a 12-0 run fueled by two three-point baskets by Mike Evanovich to regain the lead at 18-15 with 7:52 left. Evanovich hit the tying basket and the go-ahead hoop during the run. After Canisius tied the game with Elton Frazier's long-range jumper, Evanovich struck again with his third straight shot from behind the arc to give the Stags a 21-18 advantage. Fairfield did not trail for the remainder of the half and enjoyed a three-point half time lead at 31-28.

            The start of the second half was all Stags as the home team netted seven straight points after Canisius' opening basket which improved the Fairfield lead to 38-30. The lead reached nine points on two occasions, the last coming at 44-35 with 13:56 on the clock. The Griffs went on a 20-11 run over the next nine minutes to tie the score at 55-55 with 4:45 on the clock.

            After a Fairfield turnover, Greg Logins scored on a lay up that gave Canisius its first lead since the first half at 57-55. The Stags tied the score on a pair of free throws by Allen and took the lead on two Jonathan Han free throws which pushed the Stags in front at 59-57. Julius Coles tallied a three-point shot at the 2:01 mark to recapture the lead for the Griffs.

            Nero put Fairfield back in front on the Stags next possession at 61-60 and iced the game with a slam dunk as time expired for a 63-60 final.

            Four Fairfield players reached double figures, namely Hawkins, Nero (14 points), Han (12), and Allen (11 points).

            The Stags return to action on Thursday, January 15 when they travel to Saint Peter's College, and follow up with a Saturday, January 17 home game against MAAC leader Siena College.