Canisius Tops Fairfield in Thrilling Finish
Friday, January 2, 2026, 4:00 PM ET · Koessler Athletic Center
Canisius Golden Griffins 85, Fairfield Stags 81, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Fairfield Stags vs Canisius Golden Griffins?
Canisius Golden Griffins beat Fairfield Stags 85-81 at Koessler Athletic Center on January 2, 2026.
Who was favored in Fairfield Stags vs Canisius Golden Griffins?
Fairfield Stags were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -278 (about 74% implied). The underdog won.
In a tightly contested matchup at the Koessler Athletic Center, the Canisius Golden Griffins edged out the Fairfield Stags with a final score of 85-81. This game was particularly noteworthy as it marked a significant moment for Canisius, who had been struggling recently, having lost their last two games prior to this victory. The win not only snapped their losing streak but also showcased their resilience against a competitive Fairfield team.
Canisius entered the game with a home record of 6-8 and an overall record of 4-6 in their last ten games. Their recent form had seen them average 57.9 points scored while allowing 69.3 points, indicating a defensive vulnerability. In their last five games, they averaged 56.6 points scored and 70.2 points allowed. The Golden Griffins had a home record of 3-1 in their last four games, which provided them with some confidence heading into this matchup.
On the other hand, Fairfield came into the game with an 8-7 overall record and a recent performance of 6-4 in their last ten games. The Stags had been scoring impressively, averaging 80.4 points while allowing 74.6 points during that stretch. Despite their strong offensive showing, they were coming off a loss, having fallen to Saint Peter's Peacocks 66-70 in their previous outing. Fairfield's away record stood at 2-2 in their last four games, reflecting their mixed results on the road.
The two teams had met previously in the 2025 season, where Canisius had secured a victory against Fairfield with a score of 78-67, giving them a 1-0 advantage in their head-to-head record this season. This history added an extra layer of intensity to the matchup, as both teams were eager to assert dominance.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but any absence of key players could have influenced the dynamics of the game. The conditions at the Koessler Athletic Center were conducive to a competitive atmosphere, with both teams looking to capitalize on their strengths.
The betting lines from DraftKings indicated that Fairfield was favored by 6.5 points, with a total set at 140.5 points. The odds reflected the expectations surrounding the game, with Canisius listed at +225 on the money line and Fairfield at -278.
As the game unfolded, Canisius demonstrated their ability to perform under pressure. Key moments included Bryan Ndjonga making crucial free throws in the second half, which pushed Canisius ahead. Braden Sparks also made significant contributions, including a long three-point jumper that kept the momentum in Canisius's favor. The back-and-forth nature of the scoring kept fans on the edge of their seats, with Fairfield fighting hard to close the gap.
Ultimately, Canisius's ability to execute in the clutch moments, combined with their home-court advantage, allowed them to secure a vital win. The final score of 85-81 not only provided a much-needed boost for the Golden Griffins but also highlighted the competitive spirit of both teams in this NCAAB matchup.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | FAIR -6.5 | 140.5 o -112 / u -108 | Fairfield Stags -278 · Canisius Golden Griffins +225 |
Leaders
- PointsKahlil Singleton37Canisius Golden Griffins
- AssistsMike Evbagharu6Canisius Golden Griffins
- ReboundsMyles Wilmoth10Canisius Golden Griffins
- PointsDeclan Wucherpfennig20Fairfield Stags
- AssistsEric Mejia6Fairfield Stags
- ReboundsBrandon Benjamin13Fairfield Stags
Recent form
Canisius Golden Griffins
Last 10: 4-6Streak L257.9 scored · 69.3 allowed per game3-1 at home
- L59-103at Duquesne DukesDec 23
- L45-62at Rhode Island RamsDec 17
- W70-43at Maine Black BearsDec 13
- L52-74at Siena SaintsDec 7
- L57-69at Saint Peter's PeacocksDec 6
- L53-71vs Buffalo BullsNov 29
- W75-66vs Binghamton BearcatsNov 23
- W60-57vs Maryland Eastern Shore HawksNov 22
- L50-93at High Point PanthersNov 18
- W58-55vs Mercyhurst LakersNov 13
Fairfield Stags
Last 10: 6-4Streak L180.4 scored · 74.6 allowed per game2-2 away
- L66-70vs Saint Peter's PeacocksDec 30
- W121-58vs City College NY BeaversDec 23
- W84-70at Central Connecticut Blue DevilsDec 19
- W73-65vs Monmouth HawksDec 14
- L63-74at Merrimack WarriorsDec 7
- L66-70at Manhattan JaspersDec 6
- W72-68vs New Hampshire WildcatsNov 30
- L77-106vs Columbia LionsNov 27
- W97-83at Le Moyne DolphinsNov 22
- W85-82vs Loyola Maryland GreyhoundsNov 16
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merrimack | 23-11 | - | 17-3 |
| Saint Peter's | 17-12 | 3 | 14-6 |
| Siena | 23-12 | 4 | 13-7 |
| Marist | 19-12 | 5 | 12-8 |
| Quinnipiac | 19-13 | 5 | 12-8 |
| Fairfield | 21-13 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Mount St. Mary's | 15-17 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Iona | 18-14 | 7 | 10-10 |
| Sacred Heart | 14-19 | 8 | 9-11 |
| Manhattan | 12-20 | 9 | 8-12 |
| Canisius | 10-21 | 12 | 5-15 |
| Niagara | 8-22 | 12 | 5-15 |
| Rider | 4-25 | 14 | 3-17 |
Box score
| Stat | Fairfield Stags | Canisius Golden Griffins |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-66 | 25-57 |
| Field goal % | 42 | 44 |
| Three-pointers | 8-23 | 15-28 |
| Three-point % | 35 | 54 |
| Free throws | 17-23 | 20-27 |
| Free throw % | 74 | 74 |
| Rebounds | 42 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 17 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 25 |
| Assists | 15 | 22 |
| Steals | 2 | 5 |
| Blocks | 2 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 6 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 6 | 7 |
| Fast-break points | 4 | 8 |
| Points in the paint | 38 | 20 |
| Fouls | 19 | 21 |
| Largest lead | 4 | 14 |
| Lead changes | 2 | 2 |
| Time in front | 4 | 87 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half50-54Myles Wilmoth makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half50-55Myles Wilmoth makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-55Cam Estevez makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-55Cam Estevez makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-57Myles Wilmoth makes layup (Mike Evbagharu assists)
- 2nd Half52-58Bryan Ndjonga makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half53-58Braden Sparks makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half54-58Braden Sparks makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half55-58Braden Sparks makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half55-59Bryan Ndjonga makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half57-59Brandon Benjamin makes layup (Halon Rawlins assists)
- 2nd Half57-60Mike Evbagharu makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-61Mike Evbagharu makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-61Halon Rawlins makes 13-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half59-64Bryan Ndjonga makes 25-foot three point jumper (Anthony Benard assists)
- 2nd Half59-65Bryan Ndjonga makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-66Bryan Ndjonga makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-68Kahlil Singleton makes layup (Mike Evbagharu assists)
- 2nd Half59-71Myles Wilmoth makes 24-foot three point jumper (Anthony Benard assists)
- 2nd Half61-71Declan Wucherpfennig makes 1-foot dunk (Eric Mejia assists)
- 2nd Half61-73Bryan Ndjonga makes layup (Myles Wilmoth assists)
- 2nd Half62-73Eric Mejia makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-73Eric Mejia makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-76Anthony Benard makes 23-foot three point jumper (Bryan Ndjonga assists)
- 2nd Half65-76Cam Estevez makes driving layup
- 2nd Half65-79Kahlil Singleton makes 23-foot three point jumper (Bryan Ndjonga assists)
- 2nd Half67-79Brandon Benjamin makes layup (Cam Estevez assists)
- 2nd Half68-79Brandon Benjamin makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half68-80Kahlil Singleton makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-81Kahlil Singleton makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-81Cam Estevez makes 23-foot three point jumper (Eric Mejia assists)
- 2nd Half73-81Brandon Benjamin makes 8-foot jumper
- 2nd Half73-82Bryan Ndjonga makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half73-83Bryan Ndjonga makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-83Braden Sparks makes 28-foot three point jumper (Eric Mejia assists)
- 2nd Half77-83Braden Sparks makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half77-84Anthony Benard makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half80-84Braden Sparks makes 23-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half81-84Braden Sparks makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half81-85Anthony Benard makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Canisius Golden Griffins, below favours Fairfield Stags.
Venue
- Koessler Athletic CenterBuffalo, NY
- Attendance787
- OfficialsLee Cassell, Tony Chiazza, Steven Perry Jr.
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond