Cruz, Taliaferro boost Fairfield past Iona 80-68
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Jesus Cruz scored 24 points and Landon Taliaferro added 19 and Fairfield beat Iona 80-68 on Sunday to end its four-game losing streak.
Fairfield (6-15, 3-6 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) won for the third time in its last nine contests whereas Iona (7-12, 5-3) started the day in a second-place tie with Canisius having won five of seven.
Cruz and Taliaferro each scored five points in the first three minutes as the Stages built a 10-0 lead. They extended the lead to 26-7 over the next 6 1/2 minutes and the Gaels never recovered from their slow start. Fairfield led 42-25 at halftime shooting 16 of 34 (47 percent) from the field including four 3-pointers.
E.J. Crawford made a pair of free throws with 3:06 to play to get Iona within 73-64 before Cruz and Taliaferro each made a pair of foul shots and Fairfield led by double digits the rest of the way.
Crawford scored a career-high 28 points for Iona. He set his previous career high of 26 on Jan. 29, 2018 in a 103-100 overtime road loss to the Stags.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Brian Dorsey
- Nathan Farrell
- Robert Snedden
2024-25 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marist | 2-0 | - | 8-2 |
| Quinnipiac | 2-0 | - | 5-7 |
| Merrimack | 2-0 | - | 5-8 |
| Mount St. Mary's | 1-1 | 1 | 8-4 |
| Manhattan | 1-1 | 1 | 6-5 |
| Niagara | 1-1 | 1 | 5-7 |
| Fairfield | 1-1 | 1 | 5-7 |
| Siena | 1-1 | 1 | 5-7 |
| Sacred Heart | 1-1 | 1 | 4-8 |
| Iona | 1-1 | 1 | 4-8 |
| Saint Peter's | 0-2 | 2 | 5-5 |
| Rider | 0-2 | 2 | 4-9 |
| Canisius | 0-2 | 2 | 0-13 |
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