Derek Needham scored 19 points as Fairfield defeated cold-shooting Canisius 67-60 on Friday night.
The Stags (14-4, 7-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference), who rank No. 2 in the nation in scoring defense (54.7 points per game), held the Golden Griffins scoreless for more than 9 minutes in the second half.
Fairfield led 32-30 at halftime, then Canisius (8-10, 2-6) opened the second half on a 7-2 run.
After Chris Manhertz made a layup to put the Golden Griffins ahead 47-44 with 11:37 left, Canisius missed eight field goals and one free throw and turned the ball over five times. Fairfield used a 12-0 run, capped by a Needham layup, to lead 56-47 with 2:44 left.
The Stags made 8 of 12 free throws in the final 1:30 for their 13th win in 14 games.
Yorel Hawkins added 11 points and 10 rebounds for Fairfield.
Gaby Belardo led the Golden Griffins with 15 points.
