KINGSTON, R.I. – Fairfield University Men's Basketball opened the 2024-25 season on Monday night with a 96-58 loss at Rhode Island. The Stags were led offensively by 13 points from Louis Bleechmore. Prophet Johnson neared a double-double with nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
 
Johnson and Noah Best each scored nine points, setting the pace for six players to net the first points of their Fairfield careers.  Jamie Bergens added seven points as well as four assists in his Fairfield debut, Kyle Jenkins had five, and the duo of Deon Perry and Isaac Munkadi chipped in two points apiece. A total of eight players made their first appearances in a Fairfield uniform with Braden Sparks and Makuei Riek also taking the court for the first time as Stags.
 
The Stags also got six points from Peyton Smith, three by Birima Seck and two from Michael Rogan, making his return to the court after more than 11 months since his last game action.
 
Fairfield's scoring was mired by a 4-for-29 showing from three-point range as a part of a 19-for-70 shooting day from the field. The Stags were also 16-for-27 from the free throw line.
 
Rhode Island made its hay from the charity stripe, converting 34-of-41 attempts from the line in a game that featured 36 personal fouls in total. The Rams were led by 18 points by Sebastian Thomas, who also doled out a game-best seven assists, and 14 for Tyonne Farrell.
 
Farrell and David Fuchs each hauled in seven rebounds as URI claimed a 48-36 advantage on the glass. In addition to Johnson's game-leading 11 boards, Munkadi corralled six and Bleechmore and Best pulled down five apiece.
 
Tonight's game was the first of three straight road contests for Fairfield Men's Basketball to open the 2024-25 campaign. Up next, the Stags visit Georgetown on Saturday, Nov. 9 for a 4 p.m. clash at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
 
Fairfield also treks to New Hampshire on Tuesday, Nov. 12 before opening the home slate that Friday, Nov. 15 with a 7 p.m. outing at Leo D. Mahoney Arena against John Jay.