Preview of Monmouth vs. Fairfield Men’s Basketball BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking consistency will meet when the Monmouth Hawks face the Fairfield Stags in a non-conference men’s basketball matchup on Sunday, Dec. 14, at Webster Bank Arena. Both teams enter with identical 5-5 records. Monmouth looks to rebound from a 67-79 road loss at Georgia Tech last Saturday. Fairfield aims to end a two-game skid after falling 63-74 at Merrimack last Sunday. The game features a contrast in standout performers. Monmouth will rely on guard Jack Collins, a key facilitator who has logged heavy minutes. Over his last seven games, Collins is averaging 7.1 points and 4.1 assists, including an 11-point, 5-assist effort in a win over Ball State and an 11-rebound performance against Robert Morris. In the loss to Georgia Tech, he dished five assists. For Fairfield, forward Brandon Benjamin provides interior presence. He is coming off a dominant 17-point, 14-rebound double-double in the loss to Merrimack. Benjamin also recorded a 16-point, 10-rebound, 4-block performance in a win over New Hampshire on Nov. 30, demonstrating his ability to impact the game on both ends. In their most recent outings, Monmouth’s Cornelius Robinson (11 points) and Justin Ray (13 points) provided scoring support against Georgia Tech. Fairfield’s Braden Sparks scored a team-high 21 points and Antoine Williams added 13 points, six rebounds and four assists against Merrimack. The Hawks have shown resilience, with three of their five wins coming by three points or fewer, including an overtime victory over Robert Morris. The Stags’ victories have also been tight, with two wins by three points or less, including an overtime win against Stonehill. This contest serves as a final non-conference tune-up before both teams dive into their respective league schedules. Monmouth begins Coastal Athletic Association play in January, while Fairfield starts Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action. Sunday’s winner will move above .500 and gain momentum heading into the final stretch of the non-conference slate.