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
2023-24 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac | 15-5 | - | 24-10 |
| Fairfield | 14-6 | 1 | 24-13 |
| Marist | 12-8 | 3 | 18-13 |
| Saint Peter's | 12-8 | 3 | 19-14 |
| Rider | 12-8 | 3 | 15-17 |
| Niagara | 11-9 | 4 | 16-16 |
| Iona | 10-10 | 5 | 16-17 |
| Mount St. Mary's | 9-11 | 6 | 13-19 |
| Canisius | 8-12 | 7 | 14-18 |
| Manhattan | 4-16 | 11 | 7-23 |
| Siena | 3-17 | 12 | 4-28 |
2023-24 Patriot League Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colgate | 16-2 | - | 25-10 |
| American University | 10-8 | 6 | 16-16 |
| Boston University | 10-8 | 6 | 16-17 |
| Bucknell | 10-8 | 6 | 14-19 |
| Lafayette | 10-8 | 6 | 11-21 |
| Lehigh | 9-9 | 7 | 14-18 |
| Navy | 8-10 | 8 | 13-18 |
| Army | 6-12 | 10 | 10-22 |
| Holy Cross | 6-12 | 10 | 10-23 |
| Loyola Maryland | 5-13 | 11 | 7-25 |
Men's College Basketball News
