BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Sometimes things do go according to plan. And sometimes, Murphy does not enforce his law. Today was one such occasion that things went the way Head Coach
Sydney Johnson had hoped as the Fairfield University men's basketball team opened the season with an 80-72 win over Penn at Webster Bank Arena.
"The guys executed the way I wanted, sharing the ball and being successful," Johnson said. "I didn't think anyone was trying to take on the whole team by himself and everyone stayed within their role today. The execution was there; and the togetherness was there and when that happens the result will come."
For the most part, there were some things that were expected and some things that were not expected. No one was terribly surprised that
Tyler Nelson was the team's top scorer today, but his 30-point effort certainly caught the attention of the Fairfield faithful. But what did catch the attention of everyone including the opposition was the 20-point, eight-rebound night by freshman
Wassef Methnani, who made his collegiate debut this afternoon.
"Today, I just wanted to bring my energy and play the way I know I can play," Methnani said. "We have spent much time together and we have figured out how to play with each other and the chemistry we need to win. Every time I scored I just got more energy and more excited and it made me thirsty to score more points."
Fairfield fell behind early as Penn certainly seemed in mid-season form especially from the three-point line. The Quakers used four three-point field goals in the opening 10 minutes to build a 12-point lead at 26-14. But the Stags took that offensive punch and stayed within their game, slowly making plays that would allow them to climb back into the contest.
The Stags answered that 12-point deficit with 15-1 run that was highlighted by key plays by the newcomers along with five points from Nelson. After
Ferron Flavors Jr. started the run with a jumper, Nelson's three-point play ignited the team. Fairfield continued to break down the Penn defense and score on nearly every possession, including a jumper by
Jesus Cruz at 29-27 with 3:39 left in the half.
Fairfield would eventually take a three-point lead into the locker room at 36-33, with Nelson netting the last four points of the half from the free throw line. Those charity tosses were just four of the 12 made by Nelson on the afternoon.
The Stags never trailed in the second half but did see their advantage whittled away when Penn tied the score at 53-53 at the 9:10 mark. Methnani quickly put Fairfield back in front with a basket on the team's next possession, the first of seven straight points for the home team. Penn would never come closer than four points over the final minutes.
Loyola University Md. is next up for the Stags as the Greyhounds come to Webster Bank Arena on Tuesday, November 14 at 7 pm.
