With a performance that can only be inspired by two years of representing the Stags, senior Braden Sparks sent the Sacred Heart Pioneers packing with a game-leading 21 points on Friday night. As the final buzzer sounded across Mahoney Arena, the Stags completed their season sweep of the Pioneers with a 78-68 finish. Fairfield moves to 17-11 overall and 9-8 in the MAAC as Sacred Heart slides to 12-17 and 8-10.
First-years Brandon Benjamin and Declan Wucherpgennig each earned a double-double with 10 rebounds apiece and 18 and 10 points, respectively. When asked about a possible catalyst to this team’s first-year successes, Benjamin attributed it to tri-captain Sparks, who has a group chat with the other starters. “He texts us before game day, just telling us to play with a championship mindset,” Benjamin explained. “We just keep sharpening each other, getting more chemistry.”
That chemistry was fully on display for the Stags tonight, who made a show of defeating their cross-town rival. First-year Tony Williams fought hard under the hoop, egged on by the crowd, to keep possession in hopes of a few second-chance shots; he led the team with four assists. Benjamin cashed in a pair of dunks, the second of which sparked a “start the buses” chant from Fairfield’s student section as the score hit 75-61.
Sparks was the star of the show, with two consecutive three-pointers that shook Mahoney Arena. “The first one was an open look, I always shoot open ones. I got caught in a rhythm, his hands were down and it goes in,” Sparks said.
A key to tonight’s game was locking down Anquan Hill, who threatened the Stags earlier this month with 18 points and five rebounds. Benjamin used Hill’s statline as motivation.
“I just took it personal, to be honest. Even though I outscored him, I still felt like I could have done a way better job.”
The bench played a huge role in tonight’s effort, contributing 23 points and keeping the defense alive in the second half. “I thought the key to the game was two things, I thought the defense was really good in the second half. And our bench really helped us,” Head Coach Chris Casey stated.
Graduate guard Deuce Turner added seven points off the bench, second only to sophomore Eric Mejia, who had 11. Rounding out scoring for the bench was Ryan Zan and Isaac Munkadi with 3 and 2 points, respectively. “When the bench plays really well, it helps us a lot,” Casey commented. “We have complete confidence in our bench, and we’re going to stay with our rotation. When those guys give us good minutes, it helps us a lot.”
While the season-sweep may be a treat for Stags and the Fairfield faithful, Casey assured that his team is locked in on what’s next: “It’s the next game. We’re going to come to practice tomorrow and prepare for Sunday. We pay attention to the day that we’re in.”
The Stags are back in action against Quinnipiac, in a late-season duel on Bobcat territory. Tipoff is at 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+. Action returns to Mahoney Arena for the Stags’ penultimate game, facing Siena on Friday, Feb. 27th at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at FairfieldStags.com/TIX.