BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Marcus Gilbert pumped in 24 points, 13 in the first half, and Fairfield weathered an 8-1 run to start the game to post a 67-54 win over Manhattan in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opener Friday night.

Playing its fifth home game in its last six outings, Fairfield (3-5, 1-0) bounced back from its early deficit to take a 27-22 halftime lead.

Looking to rebound from a heartbreaking loss to George Mason on a 75-foot buzzer-beater last weekend, Manhattan (1-5, 0-1) held the Stags without a field goal for the first 12:29 of the game, taking an 8-2 lead.

Steve Johnston scored 15 off the Fairfield bench and the team was 19 of 45 from the field and 24 of 32 from the line.

Ashton fueled the fast start with a jumper and a layup and finished with 23 points to lead the Jaspers. Emmy Andujar added another 10 points.