Johnson scores 27, Fairfield hits 8 free throws in final minute for 88-85 win over Manhattan

Fairfield knocks off Manhattan 88-85

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Anthony Johnson scored a career-high 27 points and Fairfield outscored Manhattan 8-5 in the final minute for an 88-85 victory on Sunday.

The Stags (12-4, 5-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) were 8-for-10 from the free throw line down the stretch to hold off the Jaspers (7-9, 2-4), who rallied from a 74-65 deficit with 6:08 left to tie the score at 80 on Rico Pickett’s layup with 1:23 left.

Manhattan missed three field goal attempts in the final minute to lose for the fourth time in five games.

Johnson was 10-for-12 from the field to help Fairfield shoot 56.5 percent (26-for-46) for the game. The Stags shot 61.9 percent in the second half (13-for-21).

The Jaspers led by 14 in the first half.

Yorel Hawkins scored 19, Derek Needham 11 and Sean Crawford 10 for the Stags.

Pickett scored 29, Darryl Crawford had 21, and Laurence Jolicoeur added 14 for Manhattan.