Fairfield's Brandon Benjamin stole the show at the William H. Pitt Center, leading his team to a 92-87 victory over Sacred Heart. Benjamin's impressive outing, which included 26 points and 15 rebounds, was the difference-maker in a high-scoring affair. Despite being predicted to lose by 1.5 points according to CHD Scout, Fairfield won, outpacing Sacred Heart in a game that saw both teams combine for 179 points.
The first half belonged to Fairfield, as they built a 47-38 lead behind Benjamin's 14 points and 8 rebounds. Sacred Heart's Yann Farell kept his team within striking distance, scoring 15 points in the opening period. The second half saw Sacred Heart make a push, with Farell continuing to shine, but Fairfield's balanced attack and Benjamin's dominance ultimately proved too much to overcome. Farell finished with 25 points and 5 rebounds, while Anquan Hill and Mekhi Conner added 18 and 17 points, respectively, for Sacred Heart.
Fairfield's victory was fueled by a strong team effort, with Braden Sparks chipping in 21 points and 5 assists, and Declan Wucherpfennig adding 11 points. The Stags' ability to spread the scoring and control the glass, outrebounding Sacred Heart 38-32, allowed them to maintain their lead throughout the second half. Sacred Heart made a late push, cutting the deficit to 3 points with just over a minute remaining, but Fairfield's free throw shooting and defensive stops secured the win.
CHD Scout Report Card
INCORRECTPredicted
Final
The loss drops Sacred Heart to 10-15 on the season, while Fairfield improves to 15-10. The outcome also marked a notable misstep for CHD Scout, which had predicted a narrow Sacred Heart victory. Instead, Fairfield's strong performance and Benjamin's standout effort propelled them to a 5-point win.
This result has real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. As a Quadrant 4 game for both teams, the outcome will have a limited impact on their overall profiles. However, for Fairfield, the win helps to bolster their record and provides a much-needed boost to their confidence. With a current net ranking of 246, Fairfield want to build on this momentum as they navigate the remainder of their schedule. Meanwhile, Sacred Heart, with a net ranking of 286, will aim to regroup and refocus in an effort to strengthen their own tournament chances. The loss, while not devastating, highlights the need for Sacred Heart to secure more significant victories in order to enhance their postseason prospects.