SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Fairfield University Men's Basketball rode a 56-point first half outburst all the way to a 97-83 victory on Saturday afternoon at Le Moyne. Brandon Benjamin scored 18 points to lead four Stags in double figures in the road triumph.
 
The Stags' 56-point half was their largest against Division I competition since hanging 58 on the Mount after halftime in a 96-92 comeback victory on March 9, 2024. Fairfield last scored 56 points before halftime against a Division I foe in a 92-69 win at FDU on Dec. 21, 2023.
 
The 97 total points were Fairfield's best since a 110-55 victory over Medgar Evers on Nov. 16, 2021. The Stags last hit 97 against a Division I foe in a 102-98 double overtime win over Quinnipiac on Feb. 17, 2018 and last did so in a 40-minute regulation contest in a 104-85 win over Niagara on Jan. 20, 2018.
 
"The most important thing we did today was get into a position to play from out in front," said Head Coach Chris Casey. "That allowed us to control the tempo and play the style of basketball that we wanted to play."
 
With their third consecutive win, the Stags improve to 4-2 on the season, while Le Moyne slips to 2-4.
 
The Stags shot 25-for-67 (52.2%) from the field, including seven three-pointers, and knocked down 20-of-23 (87%) free throws. Benjamin led the efficient performance at 7-for-11 from the field while converting all four of his free throws. Declan Wucherpfennig added 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting from the floor.
 
Deuce Turner also finished with 17 points from the Stags fueled by a 3-for-4 performance from three-point range. Braden Sparks was the fourth Stag in double figures with 10.
 
In total, 10 Stags contributed to the 97-point outburst. Halon Rawlins netted nine points, Nasir Rodriguez scored eight, and Eric Mejia had six. A trio of Stags chipped in four points apiece in Michael Rogan, Isaac Munkadi, and Tony Williams.
 
The Stags nabbed a slight edge in the rebounding battle, 35-34, led by eight boards for Benjamin and seven hauled in by Sparks. Benjamin was also Fairfield's top facilitator with four assists from the post.
 
Le Moyne was led by 18 points apiece from Trent Mosquera and Shilo Jackson. Jackson also nabbed a game-best nine rebounds for the Dolphins.
 
Fairfield University Men's Basketball returns to action and returns home to Leo D. Mahoney Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 26 to host Columbia at 7 p.m. The homestand also features a Sunday, Nov. 30 visit from New Hampshire.
 
Tickets for both home outings are on sale now at FairfieldStags.com/TIX.