Slow fourth quarter plagues Fairfield at home

FAIRFIELD — Fairfield boys basketball battled with Keokuk through and through on Friday night, but a tough fourth quarter played a big part in the Chiefs walking away with a 50-39 Southeast Conference victory over the Trojans.

It was a rough start out of the game for Fairfield as it scored just twice in the first frame, first at the 4:32 mark and then just over four minutes later with 18 seconds to go on a three ball from Riley Perkins.

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That made it a 11-5 game after one.

From then on out, it was a back and forth affair with Fairfield gaining an edge in the second period, but they would still trail by the halftime whistle, 23-20.

The Chiefs outscored the Trojans 8-6 through the first half of the second quarter, but a 9-4 spree to the end of the first half made it a three point game.

That momentum carried over into the second half as the Trojans rattled in eight straight points, while shutting the Chiefs out for right around three minutes, to take a hold of the conference clash 28-23.

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Things began to shift to Keokuk’s favor at the 5:03 mark. A converted and one by the Chiefs Jaxon Clark kicked off what was an 11-3 run to the end of the period.

After scoring in bunches to begin the quarter, the Trojans scored just once in the final five minutes, still Fairfield trailed just three, 34-31, heading into the fourth.

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Keokuk never let up off the gas.

Fairfield cut it to one right away on a bucket from Sam Weaton, but they would never get any closer.

The Chiefs scored six straight points before Fairfield’s next basket at the four minute mark. The Trojans wouldn’t score again for three minutes and by that time Keokuk held a 48-37 advantage.

In all, the Chiefs outscored the Trojans 16-8 in the final period.

With the loss, the Trojans drop to 1-6 and 0-3 in SEC play. They will be back in action on Tuesday against Burlington on the road.