Johnson scores 15 points as Fairfield uses second-half spurt to hold off winless Marist 70-61

Fairfield holds off winless Marist 70-61

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Anthony Johnson scored 15 points to help Fairfield hold off winless Marist 70-61 on Thursday night in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

After a first half that featured spurts by both teams, the Stags (5-2) took a 29-25 lead into halftime.

The Red Foxes, who made 7 of 14 shots from beyond the arc in the second half, tied the game at 38 with 14:04 left and led 45-44 with 8:07 remaining.

Fairfield then went on a 13-1 run, sparked by Derek Needham’s 3-pointer, to lead 57-46 with 3:48 to go.

Marist (0-5) could get no closer than seven the rest of the way.

Needham added 14 points and seven assists for the Stags and Yorel Hawkins chipped in 14 points.

Fairfield shot 47.1 percent (24-for-51) from the field for the game and 64 percent (16-for-25) from the free throw line.

Dejuan Goodwin scored 18 points for the Red Foxes.