DURHAM, N.H. – Tough defense, solid rebounding and timely scoring fueled Fairfield University Men's Basketball in a 62-56 victory at New Hampshire on Tuesday evening in Durham. Prophet Johnson and Jamie Bergens paced the scoring in the Stags' first win of the season with 12 points apiece.
 
"We really defended a good and well-coached team," said Head Coach Chris Casey. "We had some trouble executing in spots, but this almost a completely new team, so you have to go through some of that if you want to improve. And at the end of the day, any win on the road in college basketball is a good win."
 
With the victory, Fairfield concluded its season-opening, three-game road trip at 1-2. The 56 points conceded by the Stags were the second fewest for a Chris Casey-led Fairfield team against a Division I opponent. The Stags previously allowed just 51 tallies in a 63-51 win over Wagner in December of 2023.
 
New Hampshire slipped to 1-3 on the campaign following the defeat.
 
The last of Bergens' 12 points were the most emphatic as the graduate student splashed a three-pointer with 9.7 seconds left to extend the Fairfield lead to 62-56 and put the game away. Johnson scored all of his dozen before halftime as the Stags opened up the 38-30 cushion that they would not relinquish en route to the win.
 
The third Stag in double figures was Peyton Smith, who tallied 11 points and also hauled in eight rebounds working in the post. Isaac Munkadi had the best game of his young career with six points and eight boards. The duo led Fairfield to a 41-36 advantage on the glass, including 13 offensive rips that led to 14 second-chance points.
 
Rounding out the scoring, Louis Bleechmore had nine points, Braden Sparks scored four, Michael Rogan and Birima Seck each accounted for three, and Deon Perry netted two. Sparks also distributed a game-best four assists.
 
The Wildcats were led by 17 points for Anthony McComb III. Caleb Middleton scored 10 for the hosts and Trey Woodyard chupped in nine points and seven rebounds.
 
Fairfield Men's Basketball takes the court at Leo D. Mahoney Arena for the first time in 2024-25 this Friday, Nov. 15 for a 7 p.m. visit from John Jay. The Stags will also host Drexel on Tuesday, Nov. 19 as a part of the two-game homestand.
 
Tickets for all Fairfield Men's Basketball home games are on sale now at fairfieldstags.com/tix.