The Stags fall to 14-10 and 6-7 in the MAAC following a second-half collapse against the Quinnipiac University Bobcats this afternoon. Despite the 72-65 loss, the Stags gave the sold-out Mahoney Arena reasons to cheer, including first-year Declan Wucherpfennig’s sixth double-double of the season with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Senior Braden Sparks set the game alight in the first half, opening up scoring with a 6-0 run within the first three minutes. Fending off the Bobcats’ defense, the Stags began to build a wave of momentum by the 12-minute mark with a 6-point run—highlighted by big blocks from first-year Brandon Benjamin and an ice-cold three from first-year Tony Williams to set things at 19-16.
Fresh legs from the bench came in after this run and were a crucial part of keeping the Stags going during the highly physical matchup. The bench accounted for 13 points overall, led by graduate guard Deuce Turner’s pair of threes. Quinnipiac capitalized on the substitutions, chipping away at the Stags’ lead to make it 27-31. The starters then started to rotate back into the game to stop the bleeding, ending things 41-33 in the first half.
The final 20 minutes of play showcased the hardships that come from starting four first-years against a more experienced Quinnipiac team led by Amarri Monroe, who put up 23 points and 13 rebounds. Seven of the game’s eight lead changes occurred in the second half, after the Stags let an 11-point lead slip away.
“I thought both teams played extremely hard. Credit to Quinnipiac, they made some plays in the second half,” head coach Chris Casey stated.
The Stags were down 65-66 with less than two minutes to go, as Sparks crashed into the home bench after being fouled. Casey helped the tri-captain up and encouraged the senior as he made his way to the free-throw line. “The guy’s a warrior. He leads for us every minute he’s out there,” Casey commented on the interaction.
Ultimately, the Stags were bested as the clock ticked down, and the Stags scrambled to close the gap. The loss kills Fairfield’s three-game winning streak, while the Bobcats improve to 15-9 overall and 8-5 within the MAAC.
The Stags turn their attention to crosstown rival Sacred Heart for a Thursday night contest hosted by the Pioneers, who are 10-14 overall and 6-7 in conference play.
Up next for the Stags at Mahoney Arena is a Saturday night matchup against Marist at 7 pm. The game will be broadcast on SNY, and tickets can be purchased at FairfieldStags.com/TIX.