WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Mike Evanovich tallied a game-high 20 points in his debut as a Stag, but the men's basketball team could not overcome a fast start by the home team as Wake Forest University handed the Stags an 85-60 loss in the season opener for both teams. Evanovich made six of seven shots from the floor, and netted all five of his three-point field goal attempts.

            On a highly-emotional night for the Demon Deacons, the Stags still managed to hold their own. The Wake Forest community held a special ceremony prior to the game to honor Skip Prosser, the Deacons head coach from 2001-07, who died suddenly this summer. That emotional lift translated into a 13-3 advantage just five minutes into the game.

            The Stags fought back with five straight points to cut the deficit in half at 13-8. Evanovich started the run with a layup, his only two-point field goal on the night, and added a three pointers a minute later.

            The Demon Deacons regained their 10-point edge a few minutes later after Gary Clark's long-range jumper made the score 19-9 with 11:38 remaining in the first half. Still, Fairfield was not going to go away and proved that with another quick run that made the score 19-14 following a jumper by Yorel Hawkins, his first career points at Fairfield, and another three-point hoop by Evanovich.

            Wake Forest answered that challenge with a 21-5 run over the next seven minutes that pushed the lead to 21 points at 40-19 with three-plus minutes remaining in the first half. The Deacons pretty much held that lead at halftime as well, going into the locker room with a 45-25 advantage.

            Fairfield used an early run to start the second half to pull within 15 points at 46-31 after a three-point basket by Herbie Allen. However, Wake Forest put the game out of reach with 11 straight points to pull ahead by 26 points, 57-31.

            Four Wake Forest reach double figures for scoring, namely James Johnson and Harvey Hale with 17 points each, followed by L.D. Williams' 12 points and Jamie Skeen's 10 markers.

            The two teams combined for 24 three pointers out of 51 total field goals. Wake Forest held a slight advantage with 14 baskets from behind the arc, while the Stags connected on 10 of 16 long-range jumpers.

            Fairfield opens the home portion of its schedule on Tuesday, November 13 when it hosts the College of the Holy Cross at the Arena at Harbor Yard. Game time is slated for 7:30 pm.