Fairfield boys lose nail-biter

FAIRFIELD - Fairfield overcame a slow start to come all the way back and grab a lead over Ottumwa on Monday night, but the Bulldogs had enough gas to pull ahead late, as the Trojans were downed 51-46.

It was a shaky start for Fairfield’s offense, as an Ottumwa team playing its first game of the season flew around the court defensively to stifle the Trojans in the first quarter.

The Fairfield offense was held to just one basket in the first eight minutes. JJ Lane nailed a 3-pointer midway through the period, but it was 12-3 Bulldogs after one.

In the second quarter, Fairfield’s big man started to eat inside. Max Weaton bullied the Bulldogs for 13 second quarter points, and the Trojans charged ahead 27-25 at the halftime break.

Fairfield led 41-35 at the end of the third, but the offense went cold in the fourth. With Weaton on the bench with four fouls for much of the period, the Bulldogs stormed back and took the lead.

The Trojans had the game down to three points with Ottumwa at the line for free throws in the closing seconds but a Bulldog offensive rebound and put back spelled the end of Fairfield’s shot at victory.

Weaton finished the night with 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Trojans in defeat. Lane ended the night with 16 points and five steals.

It was a cold night for the rest of the Trojan offense, which combined for just seven points outside of the Top-2 scorers. Ryan Higgins finished the game with four points, and Tate Allen went for three points, four steals and four assists.

Fairfield is now 1-2 on the season. They’ll look for their first Southeast Conference win on Friday night at Fort Madison (2-0, 1-0).