BRIDGEPORT — The wait is finally over. For the first time in the long history of the Fairfield and Sacred Heart University men's basketball programs, the two teams have agreed to play each other.

According to sources close to the situation, the Stags and the Pioneers will play on Sunday, Nov. 18 at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport in a doubleheader with the two women's programs.

Fairfield University announced Tuesday that it will be holding a press conference on Friday at 4:30 p.m. at the Arena but did not specify the details.

The game had been in the planning stages for some time, but it came down to Stags coach Ed Cooley giving it the thumbs up. There had been some trepidation on Cooley's part about the game, but apparently after several discussions with athletic director Gene Doris, he agreed to play the Pioneers.

Although details were not released, sources have said previously that it will be a one-game deal (for now) with both sides expected to renegotiate a longer series depending on fan reaction.

The Stags won 10 of their final 14 games last season to finish with a 13-19 record in Cooley's first season and will return four starters - Devin Johnson, Greg Nero, Anthony Johnson and Jonathan Han.

The Pioneers finished with their first winning record since they jumped to Division I in 1999-2000, going 18-14 and reaching the Northeast Conference tournament championship, losing to Central Connecticut. The Pioneers also are expected to return

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a deep team, including Joey Henley, Drew Shubik, Brice Brooks, Chauncey Hardy, Ryan Litke and Luke Granato.