Home sweet home: Fairfield boys off the slide

FAIRFIELD — There’s no place like home.

The Fairfield boys basketball team just needed to be back at the friendly confines to snap its losing streak. The Trojans exorcised some early season demons and dumped Keokuk 55-42 for a Southeast Conference victory.

It was the first SEC win of the year for the Trojans, who lost their first three league games by a combined 19 points.

“That's what these kids need,” said Fairfield head coach Mick Flattery. “We've played so many games on the road in this league, it's time to get back and get home.”

It was a back-and-forth battle throughout the first half. The Trojans led 14-11 after one quarter and temporarily lost that lead in the second, but Fairfield closed the second period out strong.

Junior sharpshooter Tate Allen nailed four 3-pointers in the first half, including one at the halftime buzzer. His 12 points led the team to the break, already three points more than his season average.

“It's just confidence with the three ball. It's confidence you're going to make every shot you shoot,” Allen said. “It feels really good to start seeing it go in.“

The Trojans really turned it on in the third quarter, outscoring the Chiefs 16-10 to stretch the lead to double-digits. Myles McEntee knocked down a shot at the third quarter buzzer, and it was all Trojans, at 48-34.

“We're trying to be a lot quicker with our starts, and then finish the quarter good,” Flattery said. “I thought Myles did really good coming off the bench to give us seven points.”

Fairfield continued to roll in the fourth, ending the night with a dunk by Max Weaton, who scored 21 points on the night to lead the team.

“I think we learned how to finish tonight,” Weaton said. “I think we're learning how to finish games and protect the ball, and that's important, because five of six of our losses have been a couple possessions.”

Allen finished the game with 14 points. McEntee and JJ Lane scored seven apiece. Hunter Cecchini scored four points, and Ryan Higgins had two.

The Trojans snapped a five-game losing streak with the victory, getting their first win since a season-opening blowout against Oskaloosa.

Fairfield is now 2-5 overall and 1-3 in SEC play. They’ll have a long winter break before playing at Centerville on Jan. 3.