Hawkins scores 21 points, hits 2 clutch free throws to help Fairfield beat Canisius 76-74

Fairfield holds off Canisius 76-74

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Yorel Hawkins scored 21 points and sank two free throws in the final seconds as Fairfield defeated Canisius 76-74 on Monday.

Derek Needham added 17 points and Ryan Olander had 11 for the Stags (13-6, 6-2 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference), who won for the sixth time this season after trailing at halftime.

The Stags, who trailed most of the game, tied the score 58-58 with 8:58 to play and led 74-66 lead with 55 seconds remaining. But a pair of 3-pointers by Robert Goldsberry cut the gap to 74-72 with 38 seconds left.

A free throw by Hawkins pushed the lead to 75-72 with nine seconds remaining, but two Canisius foul shots with four seconds to go cut the lead to 75-74. Hawkins made another foul shot with one second left for the final margin.

Coles had 24 points, Frank Turner added 14 and Elton Frazier had 12 for the Golden Griffins (9-10, 4-4).