Fairfield Stags Defeat Sacred Heart Pioneers 78-68
Friday, February 20, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Leo D. Mahoney Arena
Fairfield Stags 78, Sacred Heart Pioneers 68, 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 Sacred Heart Pioneers vs Fairfield Stags?
Fairfield Stags beat Sacred Heart Pioneers 78-68 at Leo D. Mahoney Arena on February 20, 2026.
In a competitive matchup at the Leo D. Mahoney Arena, the Fairfield Stags secured a 78-68 victory over the Sacred Heart Pioneers. This win is significant for the Stags, as it not only improves their record to 18-11 but also marks a crucial step in their season as they look to solidify their standing in the NCAAB. The Stags had previously faced the Pioneers earlier this season, winning that encounter 92-87, and they continued their recent success against them in this latest meeting.
Fairfield entered the game with a home record of 17-11, showcasing a solid performance at home with a record of 4-1 in their last five games. However, they were coming off a loss against the Saint Peter's Peacocks, which snapped a brief two-game winning streak. In their last ten games, the Stags recorded a 6-4 record, averaging 73.0 points scored while allowing 71.7 points per game. Their recent form has seen them score an average of 73.0 points and allow 74.4 points in their last five games, indicating a competitive edge but also some defensive vulnerabilities.
On the other hand, the Sacred Heart Pioneers, with a record of 12-17, have been on a roll with a 7-3 record in their last ten games, including a two-game winning streak prior to this matchup. They averaged 80.6 points scored and allowed 78.5 points during that stretch, showcasing their offensive capabilities. The Pioneers have also performed well away from home, with a 3-2 record in their last five away games. However, their earlier loss to the Stags this season was a setback that they aimed to rectify in this rematch.
The head-to-head record between the two teams favored Sacred Heart prior to this game, with the Stags holding a record of 1-3 against them in their last four meetings. The Pioneers had won three of their last four encounters, including a decisive victory in the previous season. However, the Stags managed to turn the tide in their favor this time around.
In terms of player availability, the block does not specify any injuries that might have impacted the teams. Therefore, both sides appeared to field their best lineups, which contributed to the competitive nature of the game.
The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had the Stags favored by 4.5 points, with a total set at 158.5. This indicated a belief in a relatively high-scoring game, reflecting both teams' offensive strengths. The odds for the over and under were both set at -110.0, suggesting a balanced expectation from the betting community.
As for the game conditions, the matchup took place at the Stags' home venue, which often provides a significant advantage. Home court support can be a critical factor in college basketball, and the Stags capitalized on this by establishing an early lead and maintaining momentum throughout the game.
Key moments in the game included several scoring plays that highlighted the Stags' offensive execution. Notably, Dashon Gittens made a crucial floating jump shot that brought the score to 78-68, solidifying the victory for Fairfield. Additionally, Eric Mejia's contributions from the free-throw line helped to extend the Stags' lead in the closing moments of the game.
Overall, this matchup between the Fairfield Stags and Sacred Heart Pioneers showcased the intense rivalry and competitive spirit of NCAAB basketball. The Stags' ability to secure a win against a team they had previously struggled against demonstrates their growth and determination as they move forward in the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | FAIR -4.5 | 158.5 o -110 / u -110 | Sacred Heart Pioneers +180 · Fairfield Stags — |
Leaders
- PointsBraden Sparks21Fairfield Stags
- AssistsDeuce Turner4Fairfield Stags
- ReboundsBrandon Benjamin10Fairfield Stags
- PointsDashon Gittens16Sacred Heart Pioneers
- AssistsMekhi Conner7Sacred Heart Pioneers
- ReboundsDashon Gittens8Sacred Heart Pioneers
Recent form
Fairfield Stags
Last 10: 6-4Streak L173 scored · 71.7 allowed per game4-1 at home
- L74-83at Saint Peter's PeacocksFeb 15
- W63-60vs Marist Red FoxesFeb 8
- W92-87at Sacred Heart PioneersFeb 6
- L65-72vs Quinnipiac BobcatsFeb 1
- W71-70at Iona GaelsJan 31
- W61-55vs Canisius Golden GriffinsJan 25
- W62-61vs Niagara Purple EaglesJan 23
- L77-85at Siena SaintsJan 19
- L67-82at Marist Red FoxesJan 17
- W98-62vs Manhattan JaspersJan 15
Sacred Heart Pioneers
Last 10: 7-3Streak W280.6 scored · 78.5 allowed per game3-2 away
- W86-75vs Rider BroncsFeb 15
- W78-71vs Saint Peter's PeacocksFeb 14
- L68-80at Manhattan JaspersFeb 7
- L87-92vs Fairfield StagsFeb 6
- L58-75at Merrimack WarriorsFeb 1
- W98-91at Quinnipiac BobcatsJan 31
- W71-70vs Niagara Purple EaglesJan 24
- W69-66vs Canisius Golden GriffinsJan 23
- W105-85at Rider BroncsJan 19
- W86-80at Siena SaintsJan 15
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 | Sacred Heart Pioneers | Fairfield Stags |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 25-58 | 29-62 |
| Field goal % | 43 | 47 |
| Three-pointers | 8-27 | 11-24 |
| Three-point % | 30 | 46 |
| Free throws | 10-12 | 9-17 |
| Free throw % | 83 | 53 |
| Rebounds | 36 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 8 | 9 |
| Defensive rebounds | 28 | 26 |
| Assists | 13 | 19 |
| Steals | 5 | 6 |
| Blocks | 2 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 13 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 6 | 15 |
| Fast-break points | 11 | 15 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 30 |
| Fouls | 14 | 10 |
| Largest lead | 10 | 15 |
| Lead changes | 5 | 5 |
| Time in front | 53 | 44 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half37-32Jaden Slaughter makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half37-33Brandon Benjamin makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half37-35Brandon Benjamin makes 3-foot jumper (Tony Williams assists)
- 2nd Half37-36Brandon Benjamin makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half39-36Mekhi Conner makes driving layup
- 2nd Half39-37Declan Wucherpfennig makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half39-40Braden Sparks makes 25-foot three point jumper (Tony Williams assists)
- 2nd Half39-42Brandon Benjamin makes 2-foot dunk (Declan Wucherpfennig assists)
- 2nd Half39-45Halon Rawlins makes 24-foot three point jumper (Tony Williams assists)
- 2nd Half42-45Yann Farell makes 23-foot three point jumper (Abdou Yadd assists)
- 2nd Half42-48Braden Sparks makes 24-foot three pointer (Halon Rawlins assists)
- 2nd Half43-48Dashon Gittens makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half43-50Brandon Benjamin makes layup (Braden Sparks assists)
- 2nd Half45-50Yann Farell makes driving layup
- 2nd Half45-53Eric Mejia makes 25-foot three point jumper (Braden Sparks assists)
- 2nd Half47-53Jaden Slaughter makes driving layup
- 2nd Half47-55Braden Sparks makes 15-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half49-55Dashon Gittens makes driving layup
- 2nd Half49-58Deuce Turner makes 26-foot three point jumper (Eric Mejia assists)
- 2nd Half49-61Braden Sparks makes 24-foot three point jumper (Eric Mejia assists)
- 2nd Half49-64Braden Sparks makes 26-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half52-64Anquan Hill makes 23-foot three point jumper (Mekhi Conner assists)
- 2nd Half52-66Deuce Turner makes 13-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half54-66Anquan Hill makes layup (Jaden Slaughter assists)
- 2nd Half56-66Yann Farell makes layup (Mekhi Conner assists)
- 2nd Half56-68Isaac Munkadi makes layup (Braden Sparks assists)
- 2nd Half56-71Declan Wucherpfennig makes 26-foot three point jumper (Deuce Turner assists)
- 2nd Half57-71Yann Farell makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half58-71Yann Farell makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half59-71Yann Farell makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half59-73Deuce Turner makes 10-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half60-73Yann Farell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-73Yann Farell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-75Brandon Benjamin makes 4-foot alley oop dunk (Deuce Turner assists)
- 2nd Half63-75Dashon Gittens makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half63-76Eric Mejia makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-77Eric Mejia makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-77Nyle Ralph-Beyer makes 23-foot three point jumper (Anquan Hill assists)
- 2nd Half66-78Eric Mejia makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-78Dashon Gittens makes 5-foot floating jump shot
Win probability
Above the line favours Fairfield Stags, below favours Sacred Heart Pioneers.
Venue
- Leo D. Mahoney ArenaFairfield, CT
- Attendance3565
- OfficialsMichael Palau, Tim Smith, Vasili Mallios
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