Lions even season series with SHAC win at Fayetteville

Fairfield gained a much-needed win over the Fayetteville Rockets in Southern Hills Athletic Conference play on Tuesday night (Jan. 20), as they evened up the season series at one win each, defeating the Rockets 61-32 for Fayetteville’s first conference loss of the season. 

The Lions won each quarter with a 12-7 first frame, followed by a 15-8 second quarter for a 27-15 halftime lead. From there, Fairfield outscored the host Rockets 17-5 in the third for a 44-20 advantage, and the fourth quarter saw the Lions score 17 points and Fayetteville add 12 points. 

Fairfield had three players reach 10-plus points with Brody Smith totaling 24 points, with the junior sinking seven two-point baskets, and he followed that with three 3-pointers and he made his lone free throw attempt. Smith added three rebounds, two assists and one block in the win. 

Quentin McIntosh collected a double-double with 12 points off six two-point baskets, and he grabbed 15 rebounds (six offensive), along with having one assist, two steals and one block. 

Zach Ahsaruk finished with 11 points off three 3-pointers and one two-point bucket. He also had two rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot. 

Griffin Friend totaled eight points (four two-point field goals), three rebounds, six assists and three steals. Teammate Caleb Rice had six points by sinking two 3-pointers, with six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Landyn Hoskins had one rebound for the Lions. 

Fairfield finished the SHAC win with 18 two-point baskets, eight 3-pointers (Ahsaruk 3, Smith 3, Rice 2), and they were 1-of-1 from the free-throw line, plus the Lions added 29 rebounds (11 offensive), 14 assists, 10 steals and three blocks. 

Fairfield’s win moved them to 9-4 overall and 6-3 in the SHAC Div. II standings. The Rockets fell to 7-1 in the SHAC and 11-3 overall. 

BOX SCORE
FHS    12 15 17 17 — 61
FAY    07 08 05 12 — 32