FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University Men's Basketball was on the short side of a 72-65 decision to visiting Quinnipiac on Sunday before a season-high crowd of 3,204 fans at Leo D. Mahoney Arena. Declan Wucherpfennig set the pace for the Stags with team highs of 14 points and 12 rebounds.
 
The loss snaps a three-game winning streak for the Stags, who now stand at 14-10 overall and 6-7 in the MAAC, while the Bobcats improve to 15-9 on the season with an 8-5 conference tally.
 
"I thought both teams played extremely hard. Credit to Quinnipiac, they made some plays in the second half," said Head Coach Chris Casey. "That's a very experienced physical team, and I think we were right there. I think we need to make a couple more shots, make a couple more free throws, and make a couple more layups. That's really what that comes down to. And credit to them again, they defended us well and caused some of that."
 
Wucherpfennig's double-double was his sixth of the season, as the rookie shot 6-for-12 from the floor and made two of his three free throws. Brandon Benjamin was right behind him and just shy of a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds.
 
Braden Sparks led the backcourt with 13 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists. Tony Williams added eight points and Halon Rawlins scored four to round out the starting five.
 
The Fairfield bench produced 13 points, led by six from Deuce Turner on a pair of three-pointers. Cam Estevez added five points, and Isaac Munkadi pitched in three points, three rebounds, and two blocked shots.
 
Quinnipiac was led by the MAAC's reigning Player of the Year Amarri Monroe, who finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds.
 
Up next, the Stags head across town to challenge Sacred Heart on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. The Pioneers are 10-14 overall and 6-7 in the MAAC after a 75-58 loss today at Merrimack.
 
Action returns to Mahoney Arena on Saturday, Feb. 7 when the Stags host Marist at 7 p.m. in a game that will air live on SNY.