For the second consecutive year, Fairfield's season ended with an opening loss to Loyola at the MAAC tournament.

So the two-year Ed Cooley regime at the school, while loaded with positive signs, didn't sport a win in the conference tournament.

The Stags made a valiant comeback in Albany, charging back from an 18-point deficit, but still came up short to see the season end on a down note after the kids had done so much hard work just to get to that point.

Fairfield won seven games in a row down the stretch, was then blown out at Rider in the regular-season finale and then lost the opener in Albany, leaving the Stags unable to take that next step.

But the Stags are a young team that should get better next season, despite some losses in the frontcourt. Cooley preaches defense, his team was second in the conference in fewest points allowed per game, and that work ethic will be there next year.

This was the second straight season Fairfield came on in the second half, only to lose in the first game of the MAAC tournament (last year on its home court).

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