Freshman guard Tyler Nelson (Bradford, MA/Central Catholic High School) enjoyed a breakthrough game on Sunday with 24 points to lead Fairfield to an 80-72 overtime victory over South Dakota at Webster Bank Arena.‎ Now, the Gatorade Massachusetts Player of the Year has his sights set on a Thanksgiving weekend homecoming when the Stags visit Northeastern on Saturday at 3:00 PM.

"It will be very exciting to come home," said the 6-3 guard. "There will be a lot of family and friends at the game. We're only 45 minutes outside of Boston. I'm looking forward to it."

Fairfield head coach Sydney Johnson is looking forward to more ‎outstanding play from Nelson to balance the Stags' scoring attack which has come mostly from the frontcourt - returning juniors Marcus Gilbert and Amadou Sidibe, and transfer Mike Kirkland, Jr. "I definitely feel I can help take the scoring load off of the big men," he said.

It was Nelson's first start (in his fifth game), and he was told by the coach "just before the start of the game," said the two-time Merrimack Valley Conference Player of the Year. "I was a little nervous, but once the game started, I was fine."‎ Fine indeed. He flourished!

Fairfield led 68-77 with 4:34 to go in the second half, in large part on the strength of Nelson's big play which included four three- pointers. But a furious ‎ 11-0 charge by South Dakota, which was fueled by another Tyler - the Coyotes Tyler Larson - equaled the score in regulation.

Fairfield outscored South Dakota 12-4 in the extra session to pull away to the eight point win. Sidibe had six of his 14 points in overtime, while Kirkland, who finished with 20 points, hit four free throws in OT to seal the victory.

The Stags snapped a three game skid and lifted their record to 2-3 as they had to Northeastern to face the Huskies.
(from )

fairfieldstags.com

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  November 29, 2014 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm

  November 29, 2014 03:00 to November 29, 2014 05:00
• Cabot Center
  360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA

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• Contact Jack Jones for more information
  203-254-4116 or [email protected]
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