Following an electric road win against in-state rival Quinnipiac University, the Fairfield University men’s basketball team looks to wrap up regular-season play with just as much energy against the Siena University Saints on Friday and the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers on Sunday.
The Stags, now 18-11 overall and 10-8 in the MAAC, were led by five different players who each reached double-figure scoring totals against the Bobcats. Leading the pack was senior Braden Sparks with 21 points, who claimed the 23rd 500-point season in Fairfield history; his current total is 511.
Injuries have troubled two of Fairfield’s first-year starters, Brandon Benjamin and Tony Williams. Benjamin left the game early against Quinnipiac, and Williams stayed on the bench for the duration of the game despite being in full uniform, with sophomore Eric Mejia getting the start instead.
Fairfield’s bench has been a make-or-break factor, with some impressive outings as of late, including 27 points against Quinnipiac and 23 for their victory over Sacred Heart. “We have complete confidence in our bench,” Head coach Chris Casey said. “When the bench plays really well, it helps us a lot.”
The Saints (12-6), coming off a 72-63 win against Saint Peter’s on Sunday, will be an important rematch for the Stags, who lost 85-77 on Jan. 19. Last time out against Fairfield, sophomore Gavin Doty led the contest with 24 points on 9-for-9 shooting. Doty contributed 21 points in the Saints’ efforts against Saint Peter’s, followed by graduate students Anthonio Chandler and Riley Mulvey, who each added 16 and 13 points, respectively.
Getting the best of the Stags, the Saints were a formidable test to Fairfield’s defense in January, which has seemingly improved since then. First-year Halon Rawlins blocked a career-best four shots and earned three rebounds in his last outing. Wucherpfennig had six rebounds, followed by Mejia and Benjamin with five apiece and juniors Ryan Zan and Cam Estevez with four each. “We’re pretty basic defensively, not really complicated,” Casey said. “I’d rather do three or four things really well than do 10 things halfway.”
The Mount (10-8) will first face Sacred Heart before heading to the Mahoney Arena on Sunday to challenge the Stags for the first time this season. Defeating Canisius 68-47 on Sunday, the Mountaineers were led by senior Arlandus Keyes with 14 points and graduate student Xavier Lipscomb with 13. Currently tied with Fairfield at sixth place in the MAAC standings, a first-round bye in the conference tournament will be up for grabs to whichever team capitalizes the most this weekend.
Tipoff against the Saints is set for 7 p.m. on Friday night. The Mountaineers will pay a visit on Sunday at 2 p.m; the Stags will also be celebrating their Senior Day.
