Junior Clif Brown posted his third double-double of the season Sunday.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Despite 22 points and a career-high 15 rebounds from junior forward Clif Brown (Ferndale, Mich.), Niagara University fell 68-64 Sunday afternoon to Fairfield University in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men’s basketball action at the Arena at Harbor Yard. The effort was Brown’s third double-double of the season and fourth in his career.

Niagara, 8-13, 5-8 MAAC, could not overcome a 34-24 halftime deficit. Fairfield used a 9-0 run to break a 9-9 tie. The Stags took an 18-9 lead when Danny Oglesby sank a three-point field goal with 10:08 remaining. Niagara responded with back-to-back baskets but Fairfield then used an 8-1 run for a 26-14 lead with 5:51 left. Fairfield had a 34-20 lead with 1:21 to play but junior guard Lorenzo Miles (Washington, D.C.) scored back-to-back baskets for the 34-24 score.

Fairfield, 8-13, 6-7 MAAC, sank 13 of its first 22 shots in the second half, including five of seven from beyond the three-point line. The Stags finished the game with six three-point field goals in eight attempts. As a whole, the Stags shot 51.2 percent (22-43) from the field.

Fairfield held a 53-39 lead with 10:24 to play. The Purple Eagles got five-straight points by Brown to start their comeback hopes. Brown made two foul shots with 3:28 to play to bring Niagara within four, 61-57. Miles snared an offensive rebound and scored to bring Niagara within three, 62-59, with 1:53 left. Both teams traded missed shots before Fairfield made four consecutive free throws for a 66-59 lead with 41 seconds to play. Sophomore guard Stanley Hodge (Washington, D.C.), who led Niagara with four assists, sank a three-pointer to make it 66-62 with 27 seconds remaining. Fairfield made two free throws with 16 seconds remaining for a 68-62 lead before Brown capped the scored with an offensive rebound basket.

Juniors J.R. Duffey (Fort Worth, Texas) and Miles each had 13 points for the Purple Eagles.

Fairfield was led by Terrence Todd’s 14 points. Jonathan Han added 11 points in a reserve role.

Niagara returns to action against Canisius College with a 7 p.m. game Wednesday at the Gallagher Center.