Fairfield Stags @ Bucknell Bison
Alvarez makes late layup, Fairfield beats Bucknell 60-58
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Neftali Alvarez scored 16 points, including a go-ahead layup with three seconds left and Fairfield held on for a 60-58 season-opening win over Bucknell on Saturday night.
Landon Taliaferro added 10 points and Jesus Cruz scored 10 for the Stags.
Bucknell used an 11-4 run over nearly eight minutes that tied it at 58-all when Kimbal Mackenzie made a layup with nine seconds left but Alvarez went coast-to-coast for the winner. Jimmy Sotos missed a potential winning runner from 30-feet at the buzzer.
Fairfield never trailed and led 38-28 at the break but Bucknell trimmed its deficit to three midway through the second half, and Mackenzie's late layup tied for the first time since 2-2.
Fairfield (1-1) made 14-of-17 free throws. Bucknell (1-1) hit just 13 of 22 and was just 5-of-21 shooting from 3-point range.
Mackenzie led the Bison with 15 points. Paul Newman added 12 points, seven rebounds and four blocks -- all career highs.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Dwayne Gladden
- Dennis Allocco
- Joseph Palacz
2025-26 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merrimack | 5-0 | - | 9-7 |
| Saint Peter's | 4-0 | 0.5 | 7-5 |
| Quinnipiac | 4-1 | 1 | 11-5 |
| Siena | 3-1 | 1.5 | 10-5 |
| Marist | 3-2 | 2 | 9-5 |
| Manhattan | 3-2 | 2 | 7-9 |
| Canisius | 2-2 | 2.5 | 7-8 |
| Iona | 2-3 | 3 | 10-6 |
| Niagara | 1-3 | 3.5 | 4-10 |
| Fairfield | 1-4 | 4 | 9-7 |
| Sacred Heart | 1-4 | 4 | 5-11 |
| Mount St. Mary's | 1-4 | 4 | 5-11 |
| Rider | 0-4 | 4.5 | 1-12 |
2025-26 Patriot League Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navy | 2-0 | - | 10-5 |
| American University | 2-0 | - | 9-6 |
| Colgate | 2-0 | - | 8-7 |
| Army | 1-1 | 1 | 7-8 |
| Holy Cross | 1-1 | 1 | 6-9 |
| Bucknell | 1-1 | 1 | 4-11 |
| Lafayette | 1-1 | 1 | 4-11 |
| Boston University | 0-2 | 2 | 5-10 |
| Lehigh | 0-2 | 2 | 4-11 |
| Loyola Maryland | 0-2 | 2 | 4-11 |
Mens College Basketball News
