Under the Radar Game of the Day: Loyola at Fairfield

Loyola at Fairfield, 7:00 PM Eastern, fairfieldstags.com

A pair of former conference foes meet in today’s Under the Radar Game of the Day as the Metro Atlantic’s Fairfield Stags host the Patriot League’s Loyola (Md) Greyhounds.  Loyola played a tough game on opening night against the Big Ten’s Northwestern Wildcats, falling 79-75.  Andrew Kostecka led the way with 22 points while Cam Gregory registered a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds.  Andre Walker, who averaged over 15 points per game last season, was held to only 8.  If he can contribute more, and the rest of the team continues to step up, the Greyhounds have a chance to challenge Bucknell for the conference title this year and, even more importantly today, pick up a road win in Connecticut tonight.

Fairfield enters tonight’s game at 1-0 following an 80-72 home win over the Penn Quakers.  Tyler Nelson led with way with 30 points for Sydney Johnson’s Stags in their win, while freshman Wassef Methnani came off the bench to add 20 points and 8 rebounds.  Nelson is one of four returning starters this year for a team that has a real chance to contend for the conference crown, especially if new players like Methnani can continue to contribute significantly.  Tonight’s game against a very good Loyola team should be a huge early litmus test for this team, and a win should continue to build the squad’s confidence.