FAIRFIELD, Conn. - For the third straight season, the Fairfield University men's basketball received an invitation to postseason play. The Stags will host a first-round game in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament on March 14 at Webster Bank Arena against Yale University. The game tips off at 7 pm.
Ticket prices are $15 for adults and $9 for seniors, youth (12 and under), and college students with ID. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets for $5 per person. Seats will be general admission. Tickets are now available at www.ticketmaster.com or at the Webster Bank Arena box office.
"We are very happy to play in the CIT for the second time in three years," Director of Athletics Gene Doris said. "We were impressed with the tournament in 2010 and enjoyed being part of it. I know our student-athletes and coaches will have a great experience."
The Stags participated in the 2010 CIT and advanced to the second round following its road win over George Mason University. Fairfield overcame a 27-point second-half deficit to defeat the Patriots in overtime, 102-96. It marked the greatest Division I postseason comeback in NCAA history. Fairfield went on to drop its second round match up at Creighton University. Last year, Fairfield participated in the National Invitation Tournament, beating Colorado State on the road and falling to Kent State at home.
Fairfield enters the postseason with a 19-14 overall record after advancing to the MAAC Championship game on Monday night. Senior Rakim Sanders and junior Desmond Wade earned a spot on the MAAC All-Tournament team. Sanders enters postseason as the team's top scorer and rebounder with 16.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Ryan Olander is next in line with 8.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest. Wade dished off 21 assists against three turnovers in the MAAC tournament, raising his assist average to 3.1 assists per game.
Yale brings a 19-9 overall record into the game, the program's best season since winning 21 games during the 2001-02 season. Greg Mangano earned first team All-Ivy honors for the second straight year after leading the league in rebounding (9.7 rpg) and blocks (64) and placing second in scoring with 18.7 ppg. Reggie Willhite, a second team All-Ivy selection, collected the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year.