After 611 days away from the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, the Big East’s Providence Friars returned to action in front of fans. Fairfield seemed intent on spoiling this homecoming for the Friars.
Like last season’s opener, Fairfield kept things close for most of the first half. After Providence raced out to a 7-0 lead in the opening minutes, the Stags answered with three consecutive 3-pointers to take the lead. They would hit their first four shots from deep.
For most of the first half, both teams traded baskets. After Jake Wocik’s 3-pointer brought Fairfield within one point just over two minutes into the game, neither team would lead by more than one possession until Nate Watson’s layup put Providence up 32-28 with less than four minutes remaining before halftime.