PROVIDENCE, R.I. – With a roster that is half-filled with newcomers, it's only comes to reason that the group of eight would have an impact on the Fairfield men's basketball season opener against Providence College. And, the student-athletes did not disappoint as they combined for nearly half of the team's points in the Stags' 97-56 loss on the road.

              Freshman Jalen Leach joined senior Taj Benning as the top scorers for the visitors as both netted 10 points. Caleb Green, who along with freshman Supreme Cook comprised two-fifths of the starting lineup, posted eight points and accounted for four of the team's six assists. Tshiefu Ngalakulondi showed his skill set with seven points, eight rebounds, and two blocks. The effort of the newcomers did not go unnoticed by Head Coach Jay Young.

              "Providence was a tough opponent to start your career," Coach Young said. "Supreme battled foul trouble early which took him out of his game. We knew it would be a test for him right off the start but he faced players with skills that he probably won't see again this season. Jalen had great moments too and we knew we had a leader in Caleb."

              Young knew that his big men would face challenges trying to keep Providence's big men under wraps despite their defensive abilities. He went to Cook as a starter and turned starting sophomore Chris Maidoh as well as reserve junior Tshiefu Ngalakulondi to try and check Nate Watson, a 6-10, 260-pound center, and Ed Croswell, a 6-8, 245-pound forward.

              Still, Fairfield seemed to hold its own with their Big East host as the Stags led or were no worse than tied with the Friars over the first nine minutes of the game. Maidoh scored the game's and season's first points with a short jumper just two minutes into the game. After Watson tied the game, Ngalakulondi posted his first two points in a Fairfield uniform to regain the lead.

              With the score knotted at 4-4, Fairfield scored seven of the next 11 points to take its biggest lead of the game at 11-6 following a three-point field goal from Leach, his first shot as a collegiate. The Stags still held a lead at the 10:55 mark when Jesus Cruz's basket which pushed the score to 15-13.

               The Friars found their offensive rhythm and outscored Fairfield by a 24-8 count that provided the home team with a double-figure lead at 37-23 with three minutes left in the half. Watson scored 11 points during the 24-point run by Providence.

              Providence secured a 12-point lead by halftime and kept its double-digit lead through out the second half. Watson finished the game with 23 points and 10 rebounds in 27 minutes of work. Croswell added 10 points and six rebounds which included a team-best four offensive caroms. The Friars collected 17 offensive rebounds which they turned into 17 points.

              Despite the result, Coach Young was happy just to be back on the court and giving his student-athletes the opportunity to compete once again.

              "I am happy to back on the court," Coach Young said. "The game gave us a gauge on where we are now and where we need to go to be successful."

              Before the game, the men's basketball program learned that transfers Jake Wojcik and Zach Crisler's waiver appeals were denied by the NCAA so the two student-athletes are not able to compete during the 2020-21 season.

               "We are disappointed for Zach and Jake that they won't get to play this year," Young said. "We presented our best case but unfortunately it did not go our way."            

              Fairfield will continue its season this weekend in a multi-team event that includes Stony Brook University and Sacred Heart University.