NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Brandon Benjamin scored a game-high and new career-best 23 points, and Deuce Turner scored 12 of his 17 after halftime to lead Fairfield University Men's Basketball to an 83-75 victory on Sunday afternoon at Niagara. Four Stags scored in double figures with a total of nine players contributing to the scoring effort in the MAAC road victory.
 
With the win, Fairfield improves to 9-7 on the season and picks up its first MAAC win of the season. Niagara, which defeated Sacred Heart at the buzzer on Friday in Western New York, stands at 4-10 overall and 1-3 in conference action.

"A key to today was that we got contributions from everybody," said Head Coach Chris Casey. "We need that level of production and energy from everybody that checks into the game to be successful as we continue on in conference play."
 
Benjamin's 23 points came on 10-for-15 shooting from the field. The MAAC's leading rebounder also pulled in nine boards and contributed on the defensive end with three blocked shots and two steals. Turner shot 5-for-9 from the floor and was true on all six of his free throw attempts to amass his 17 points.
 
Sparks was also a big part of the Stags' second half, netting 11 of his 15 after the break. Declan Wucherpfennig was the fourth Stag in double figures with 12 points, and the freshman also collected seven rebounds as Fairfield earned a 31-24 advantage on the glass.
 
Rounding out the scoring, Tony Williams had five points, Halon Rawlins scored four, Cam Estevez tallied three, and the duo of Eric Mejia and Isaac Munkadi scored two points apiece. Mejia was also the Stags' top facilitator with three assists.
 
As a unit, the Stags shot 29-for-57 (.50.9%) from the field, 6-for-16 (37.5%) from three-point range and 19-for-21 (season-best 90.5%) from the charity stripe. The Fairfield offense had its highest scoring and best shooting MAAC game of the season, and also tied an overall season best with only five turnovers in Sunday's triumph.
 
After Niagara netted the first five points of the game, Fairfield needed just 11 seconds to tie the score as Wucherpfennig scored, Benjamin stole the ensuing in-bounds pass and Williams knocked down a trey to knot the game at 5-5. That sequence started the Stags on a 17-3 run, constructing a lead that they would not relinquish for the remainder of the contest. Fairfield led by as many as 12 points in the first half and went into the locker room with a 41-31 advantage.
 
The Purple Eagles quickly closed the gap coming out of the break as the hosts started the frame on an 11-2 run to cut the margin to 45-42. On the ensuing Fairfield possession, Benjamin nabbed an offensive board and put it home to extend the lead to 47-42 with 15:08 to play.
 
In total, Niagara trimmed the deficit to one possession on five occasions in the second half, with Fairfield providing the answer for every Purple Eagles' run. The Stags converted their final nine free throws, including eight in the last 80 seconds, to hold off the hosts and ice the road victory, 83-75.
 
Niagara was led by 21 points from Justin Page and a full statline of 12 points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots by Will Shortt.
 
A rare single-game week in the heart of MAAC play awaits the Stags when they return to Mahoney Arena to host Rider on Friday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. The Broncs are 1-12 overall and 0-4 in the MAAC following a 74-65 home loss to Siena this afternoon.
 
Tickers are on sale now at FairfieldStags.com/TIX.