Virginia 54, Fairfield 45: Joe Harris led all scorers with 15 points and added seven rebounds and three assists as the Cavaliers won their home opener over the visiting Stags.

Virginia (1-1), which struggled to generate offense throughout in the first round of the NIT Season Tip-Off, received some much-needed help from its bench. Freshmen Evan Nolte and Mike Tobey chipped in 11 and six points, respectively. Starter Akil Mitchell scored 12.

Fairfield (1-1) jumped out to an 11-4 lead and held Virginia to only nine points in the first 10 minutes. The Stags led for the entire first half and were up by as much as seven, but Virginia managed to cut the deficit to two by halftime. With 15:45 to play in the game, the Cavaliers took the lead for good.

Three of Fairfield's starters scored in double figures with Josip Mikulic leading the team with 13. Desmond Wade and Derek Needham each tallied 10.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Virginia improved to 4-0 in home openers under coach Tony Bennett and has won 16 straight home opening games. … The Cavaliers will host Delaware on Tuesday with the winner advancing to the semifinals on Nov. 21 at Madison Square Garden. … Fairfield is 0-3 against Virginia all-time and 0-2 in the NIT Season Tip-Off.