Fairfield's Desmond Wade made two three-pointers - the first off a Ryan Olander pick - sandwiched around a fast break basket by the high flying but often untapped Colin Nickerson. Fairfield cruised into the half with a 36-25 lead.


We needed directions to find the concession stand. Security guards stood at each of Alumni Hall's entrances, opening the doors to let the spring air in. During a stoppage early in the second half, the young women in our section called out to Sanders. But Sanders was looking the other way, flirting with the dance team.

Fairfield flirted with a blowout. The Stags drew the Colonial defenders out far enough out of their zone to throw ball over the top to Barrow and Nickerson, who lurked on the baseline. Three-quarter court pressure led to a Nickerson basket that gave the Stags a 49-34 lead. At a timeout with ten minutes left, McFadden and Lijah Thompson lurched slowly to the Colonials' huddle.

But Fairfield left the door open. Barrow missed an easy shot; Sanders committed a double-dribble (the first such violation we'd seen all year). And as the game ground down, trading turnovers looked as effective for Fairfield as trading baskets.


Ian thought Robert Morris was still in it. "Just barely," he said.

A put-back by McFadden finally brought Robert Morris within ten points. In my program where I was taking notes, I wrote, "RMU finally at 8!!"

"See?" said Ian.

Sanders drove to the hoop on a rare possession when the Colonials' zone spread itself too thinly. But with less than three minutes left, a three-pointer from Anthony Myers and a dunk by McFadden after the Colonials' full court trap forced a turnover allowed Robert Morris to close the gap further.


5!!

Sanders, now fully engaged in the game, answered with a classy post move. But Robert Morris kept coming. Velton Jones was fouled shooting a three-pointer and made two of three from the line, as the official escorted the Fairfield mascot, Lucas, from the spot where he was posing under the basket.

The Colonials forced another turnover with the full court trap. McFadden picked up the loose ball on the right block, laid it in, was fouled, and made the free throw.

2!!

For the final possessions, everyone in our section stood. After the two teams traded baskets, including a Jones hoop from the baseline against the taller Stags that proved he had the coolest hand in the gym, Sanders dribbled through the press and whipped the ball to Olander. As someone behind us yelled, "Dunk it you big lug!" Olander banked the ball home and was fouled. He missed the foul shot, but Sanders out-muscled McFadden for the rebound and then converted two free throws.

6!! Fairfield was safe enough.

The CIT lived on in Connecticut. It looked worth winning.

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