BUFFALO, N.Y. – Fairfield University Men's Basketball was on the short side on 85-81 contest on Friday afternoon at Canisius. Declan Wucherpfennig netted a team-best 20 points and Brandon Benjamin posted his sixth double-double of the season to lead four Stags scoring in double figures in the MAAC road outing.
 
The setback sends Fairfield to 8-7 overall and 0-4 in conference play. Canisius improves to 6-8 on the campaign with a 1-2 league mark.

"We needed to be better on the defensive end. Getting stops and getting out in transition allows us to play the way we want to play offensively," said Head Coach Chris Casey. "Credit to Canisius, they got out to an early lead and were able to control the majority of the action playing from in front."
 
The 20-point day for Wucherpfennig matched his career high as the rookie forward shot 9-for-14 from the floor, knocking down of his attempts from three-point range. Benjamin had 19 points and corralled 13 rebounds, including seven from the offensive glass, to pace the Stags to a 42-35 advantage on the boards.
 
Braden Sparks was fueled by a 7-for-7 day from the stripe to finish with 13 points. The MAAC's leading scorer completed two four-point plays on consecutive possessions in the game's closing seconds to keep Fairfield in the hunt before the Griffs iced the game at the charity stripe.

Cam Estevez was the fourth Stag in double figures with 10 points in a reserve role.
 
Also contributing off the bench was Eric Mejia, who filled out his statline with seven bounds, six assists, and four rebounds. Tony Williams had five points, Halon Rawlins netted four to go along with his seven boards, and Deuce Turner scored three points to cap the Fairfield scoring.
 
Canisius was led by a career day for Khalil Singleton, who drained nine three-pointers on his way to 37 points. The Griffs' sharpshooter scored 25 of his points in the first half including 24 of the home team's first 24 tallies.
 
Myles Wilmoth added a double-double for Canisius with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
 
The Stags will conclude the Western New York swing with a trek farther north to Niagara on Sunday, Jan. 4. The Purple Eagles hosted and defeated Sacred Heart this afternoon to move to 4-9 overall and 1-2 in the MAAC.