Derek Needham/bleacherreport.com

This post is part of The Arena Pulse’s Player of the Night feature.

Each morning throughout the 2011-12 season, The Arena Pulse will select and name its “Player of the Night” from the previous evening’s action.

Another slow Friday night in college hoops saw some exciting action, as Harvard remained undefeated in Ivy League play with a victory over Cornell.

However, the nation’s top individual performance came from a MAAC battle between Niagara and Fairfield.

The Stags built up an 11-point second half advantage, dispatching Niagara at home thanks in large part to a career evening from their back court leader.

The winner of The Arena Pulse’s Player of the Night (2/3):

Name: Derek Needham
School: Fairfield
Class: Junior
Position: Guard

Stat Line: 32 points, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 rebound

Fairfield was expected to challenge Iona for the top spot in the MAAC this season, but teams like Manhattan and Loyola (MD) have emerged from the discussion.

The Stags currently sit in fourth place in the MAAC, one day after defeating Niagara by a final score of 77-69.

Fairfield’s two-headed attack of Rakim Sanders and Derek Needham continue to set the pace for a group that has now won four of their past five games.

On Friday, Needham went off, finishing the game with a career-high 32 points as Fairfield looks for some late season magic.

The 5-foot-11 guard was 11-of-16 from the field, converting on six 3-pointers in the victory. In addition to his 32 points, Needham was also credited with four assists, two steals, and one rebound.

Fairfield (12-10, 7-4) is currently in the midst of a five-game home stand, a stretch that will continue on Sunday when Siena (10-12, 5-7) pays a visit. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EST.

*Photo: Derek Needham *Credit: bleacherreport.com
 
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