Fairfield, Led by Coleman Johnson's Six Blocks, Wins 4th Straight at Canisius; Niagara Next on Schedule

With the fast emergence of freshmen Jonathan Kasibabu and Matija Milin in the Fairfield frontcourt, senior Coleman Johnson has been relegated to a more limited role in his final season as a Stag. But instead of moping at the reduced minutes, the Virginia product has remained ready to contribute. Johnson was more than ready on Thursday night (February 18) at Canisius. The 6-6 big man literally took matters into his own hands, blocking a career-high six shots, pulling down seven rebounds and nailing three critical free throws in the closing seconds as catalyst for the Fairfield (16-11, 10-7 MAAC) 74-71 road victory over the Golden Griffins at Koessler Athletic Center in Buffalo. It was Fairfield-s fourth straight triumph, the longest winning streak of the season, and a critical one in the MAAC standings post-season picture. The Stags 16th win of the campaign is nine more than all of last season for the rejuvenated program under head coach Sydney Johnson. Fairfield has won seven of its last nine games. Fairfield tries for its fifth win in a row, concluding the two-game Western New York road trip on Saturday when they take on Niagara University. Tip off is 3 pm. Johnson-s defensive presence set the stage for his foul line heroics. First, at the 30-second mark, the senior made the first of a one and one to give the Stags a 71-69 lead. Johnson moments later, he iced the game, calmly hitting two free throws with five seconds left. Four Stags scored in double figures, and Johnson also shared top rebounding honors with fellow-senior Marcus Gilbert, who also had seven caroms. Fairfield sophomore guard Tyler Nelson led all scorers with 22 points ? including four three-point field goals, and one with 3:31 left that put the Stags up six points, 68-63. It was Nelson's ninth 20-point game of the season. Gilbert had 17 points, freshman Curtis Cobb chipped in with 15, and Matija Milin had 10. Johnson had averaged 20 minutes per game as a sophomore and junior. Those numbers fell to 15.3 mpg this season to rank eighth on the squad. But in 22 key minutes on Thursday, he spearheaded a defense that denied Canisius and catapulted the Stags to a crucial road win. The game featured 10 lead changes and 11 tied scores with the last tie coming at 58-58 with 9:27 on the clock. Gilbert nailed a three-point field goal on the ensuing possession that gave the Stags the lead for good. Fairfield trailed 40-34 at the half, but out-scored Canisius 40-31‎ in the second period.‎ Jerry Johnson, Jr., who scored a career high 25 points on Monday against Marist, missed the game due to the death of his father in Memphis. Fairfield swept the season's series, downing Canisius in the first match up, 84-77, on January 29 at Webster Bank Arena. The Stags will likewise try to sweep the series against Niagara, having turned back the Purple Eagles on January 19 at Webster Bank Arena, 73-68, on the strength of Tyler Nelson-s career high 27 points.