FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University Men's Basketball entered Saturday's Senior Night game against Quinnipiac in need of a victory to earn a berth in next week's MAAC Championship. Led by 35 points and 12 rebounds from Prophet Johnson, the Stags punched their ticket to Atlantic City with an 83-74 victory.
 
"This season had ups and downs, but we kept our heads down and stayed together and kept working," said Head Coach Chris Casey. "I'm really happy for these guys to have the opportunity to go down to Atlantic City."
 
With the win, the Stags will enter the postseason at 12-19 overall and 8-12 in the MAAC. Fairfield secured the 10th seed in the MAAC Championship and will play seventh-seeded Sacred Heart on Tuesday, March 11 at 8:30 p.m.
 
MAAC Regular Season Champion Quinnipiac heads into the postseason as the conference's top seed with a record of 19-12 overall and 15-5 in league play.
 
Johnson's 35 points are a career high and the most by a Stag since Brycen Goodine netted 37 – also on Senior Night – in a win over Canisius last season. Johnson shot 15-for-23 from the field with two three-pointers and also reeled in 12 rebounds for his eighth double-double on the year. The junior has scored 20-plus points in four consecutive games, averaging 24.8 points on .672 shooting from the field with 9.8 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game during that stretch.
 
Braden Sparks scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half and Peyton Smith had all nine of his points after the intermission as the Stags flipped a 37-37 halftime margin into an 83-74 win. The contest featured 14 ties and 11 lead changes, including eight of each during the closing 20 minutes.
 
Fairfield also benefitted offensively from seven points for Deon Perry, six for Kyle Jenkins, five from Isaac Munkadi, four for Louis Bleechmore and one from Jamie Bergens. Bergens was also the Stags' top facilitator with four assists.
 
In addition to Johnson's 12 rebounds, Jenkins hauled in six and Smith nabbed five. Smith and Munkadi also registered two blocked shots apiece.
 
"This time of year isn't about the plays and strategy, it's about making plays and it's about the players," noted Casey. "And everybody stepped up tonight."
 
Prior to the game, Fairfield Men's Basketball recognized the graduating trio of Louis Bleechmore, Kyle Jenkins and Birima Seck. Jamie Bergens – also playing in his last home game at Mahoney Arena – was recognized prior to last Friday's win over The Mount with family from The Netherlands in attendance.
 
More information about the 2025 MAAC Basketball Championship will be announced as it is finalized. The winner of Tuesday's game between Fairfield and Sacred Heart will advance to challenge second-seeded Merrimack on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. in the quarterfinal round.