Tough defense propels Fairfield over Penn 62-53

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Derek Needham scored 14 points and Fairfield held Pennsylvania to 35.8 percent (19 of 53) from the field in the Stags' 62-53 win Tuesday night in a nonconference matchup.

Maurice Barrow and Colin Nickerson posted 10 points apiece and Keith Matthews chipped in eight for Fairfield in the second round of the NIT Season Tip-Off.

Barrow gave Fairfield (2-1) its first lead, 2-0, with his game-opening layup and the Stags did not look back, extending their lead to as much as 19-8 in the first half.

Penn (1-2) cut the deficit to 33-32 in the second half but Fairfield used a 12-2 run — capped off by a Nickerson layup — to go ahead 45-35 with 10:15 left to play.

Fran Doughety led Penn with 31 points and 10 rebounds and Miles Cartwright had nine but no other Quaker managed over three points.