WASHINGTON, D.C. – Fairfield University Men's Basketball went into halftime at Georgetown facing a 36-33 deficit on Saturday at Capital One Arena. However, while the Stags stayed within reach of the Hoyas, they never pulled even over the second 20 minutes as the hosts gradually pulled away for a 69-57 victory.
 
"I thought we shot the ball fairly well and we took some positive steps defensively, but what I'm most proud of is the way that we fought," said Head Coach Chris Casey. "Of course, I'm disappointed that we lost, but I am happy with some of the progress that we made today, and now we need to use that as a springboard into the next one on Tuesday."
 
Braden Sparks netted a new career high with 17 points, including three three-pointers, to lead the Fairfield (0-2) offense. Sparks also corralled a team-leading eight rebounds. Jamie Bergens joined Sparks in double figures with 12 points.
 
The Stags started hot offensively with Sparks scoring eight and Prophet Johnson accounting for five in the early stages of the game as Fairfield opened up a 13-5 advantage. The lead grew as large as nine points at 16-7 on a Peyton Smith trey, and while the Stags continued to score, Georgetown (2-0) also started to click from the field and eventually closed the gap at 25-25.
 
Fairfield last lead of the day came on another Sparks triple to bring the tally to 28-27, with Bergens adding a three-pointer and Johnson scoring in the paint in the final minute of the frame to tie the game at 33-33. Georgetown responded with buzzer beater from downtown from Jayden Epps to send the Hoyas into the intermission with a 36-33 lead.
 
The Stags kept the margin with a possession early in the second half with a Bergens jumper moving the score to 40-38 in favor of Georgetown. But the Hoyas scored a quick five points and maintained their cushion for the remainder of the game.
 
Bergens netted nine of his 12 after halftime to keep the offense moving, but Georgetown big man Thomas Sorber had 17 of his game-best 25 points to hold the Stags at bay as the Hoyas crept away with a 69-57 final.
 
Johnson finished with seven points and six rebounds for the Stags, and Peyton Smith added seven points, five boards and four steals.
 
In addition to Sorber's 25, Epps had 12 points for the hosts and Micah Peavy filled out the statsheet with eight points, five rebounds, five assists and seven steals.
 
Fairfield University Men's Basketball completes its season-opening, three-game road trip on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at New Hampshire. The Wildcats are 1-1 on the season with a loss to UMass and a win over UMass Boston, and will play reigning National Champion #3 UConn tonight in Hartford before entertaining the Stags.