The Lions gained control early by dropping in four three-point goals in the first period while building a 16-6 lead. Western responded with a 7-0 run to close the gap to 16-13. The Indians’ Drew Haggy led the charge hitting seven of his 14 points in the period. The Indians closed to 19-17 with 2:11 remaining in the second, but Logan McIntosh drain a three to lift Fairfield to a 22-17 lead at the half.

The teams exchanged a series of free throws to begin the second half as Western closed within 23-21 and 25-23 until 2:11 left. The Lions’ McIntosh made his way in the paint for a basket and then sank two technical free throws and a couple of baskets followed to lift Fairfield to a 32-23 lead.

Things got interesting down the stretch. With the Indians trailing 36-27, Foster Davis tossed in three shots from beyond the arc to pull Western within 41-39 with 44 seconds left in regulation. But that was the closest they could get.

Fairfield sealed the win 45-39. The Lions made 16-of-23 free throws to Western’s 9-of-19. The Indians misses in the fourth period were the difference. The Tribe made just 3-of-10 in the final 8-minutes.