FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University Men's Basketball hits the road for the first time in 2026-27 for a visit to Bryant. Opening tip-off in the first-ever meeting between the Stags and Bulldogs is slated for 1 p.m.
AMERICA EAST-METRO CHALLENGE
Sunday's game is a part of this weekend's inaugural America East-Metro Challenge. Fairfield hosted Vermont on Thursday to kick off the Challenge, while Bryant was also in Connecticut on Thursday for a clash at Quinnipiac.
LAST TIME OUT
Fairfield cut an 18-point deficit down to seven midway through the second half of Thursday night's season opener, but the Stags were unable to come all the way back against visiting Vermont as the Catamounts took a 79-67 decision at Leo D. Mahoney Arena.
Declan Wucherpfennig led Fairfield with a career-high 25 points. He scored 15 of his 25 points in the second half as the Stags tallied 42 of their 67 points after the intermission. Wucherpfennig also shared the game high with eight rebounds.
Cole Edelen joined Wucherpfennig in double figures, netting 13 in his collegiate debut. Fellow rookie
Jah Hatchett chipped in eight points in his first game as a Stag, and
Peyton Smith added eight points and six rebounds.
Rounding out the Fairfield scoring,
Tony Williams netted seven points and
Halon Rawlins scored six. Rawlins also contributed five rebounds as the Stags were topped on the glass, 39-30.
COACH CASEY ON VERMONT
"We played like a young team in the first half, and Vermont played like the veteran team that they are."
"I was proud of our bounce back in the second half. I thought we really got after them and played well despite not shooting the ball well. I think there's a lot of capability on this team, but we've got to be better in the beginning of the game."
BRYANT AT A GLANCE
Already playing their third Metro Conference opponent of the season, Bryant enters Sunday at 1-1. The Bulldogs won their home and season opener on Monday against Siena and then lost at Quinnipiac on Thursday to kick off its run in the America East-Metro Challenge.
Keegan Harvey has led Bryant in scoring and rebounding thus far in 2026-27 with 17.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Onyx Nnani (13.0 ppg) and Duane Thompson (10.0 ppg) are also averaging double figures after Bryant's first two contests.
Harvey was a Preseason All-America East pick and the Bulldogs were selected fifth of nine teams in the AE Preseason Coaches' Poll. Bryant was 9-22 overall and 5-11 in conference play last season.
US AND THEM
Fairfield and Bryant are meeting for the first time. The Bulldogs joined the Division I ranks beginning in 2008-09. Among DI opponents, Bryant is the only first-time foe on this year's slate.
STACKING THE DEC
Metro Conference Preseason Player of the Year
Declan Wucherpfennig kicked off his sophomore campaign with a career-high 25 points in Thursday's meeting with Vermont.
THE LINEUP BY THE NUMBERS
Fairfield started five returners in Thursday's season opener, though
Peyton Smith missed all of the 2025-26 season due to injury. Three freshmen made their collegiate debut against Vermont (Edelen, Hatchett, Brown) In addition to junior
Qadir Martin making his Fairfield debut after playing two seasons at Mercyhurst.
In total, the Stags checked in three true freshmen, three sophomores, three juniors, and one senior against the Catamounts.
UP NEXT
Fairfield heads to Madison, Wis. to challenge the University of Wisconsin on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
