Box Score


FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Four Stags scored in double figures as the Fairfield University women's basketball team upended Columbia University, 54-44, this evening in Alumni Hall. Fairfield (5-3) was led by sophomore Alexys Vazquez who netted a career-high 14 points. Vazquez hit three three-pointers and went 5-for-5 from the foul line, both of which were career bests.
 
Senior Taryn Johnson notched her second double-double of the season, tallying 10 points and 10 rebounds. She also blocked three shots and had two steals. Senior Desiree Pina and junior Katelyn Linney added 11 points apiece.
 
Vazquez scored nine of the Stags' first 13 points of the game as Fairfield opened up a 13-4 lead. The Stags continued to roll, extending their lead to 21-14 while holding the Lions (1-8) scoreless for six minutes. Columbia managed to cut the deficit to 23-13 on a lay-up by Melissa Shafer at the 4:46 mark. But, Fairfield closed out the half on a 5-0 run to take a 28-13 lead into half time.
 
Columbia, which shot 29.6 percent in the first half, came out strong in the second stanza shooting 52.4 percent. The Lions closed the gap to single digits, 34-26, at 14:57 on a Tyler Simpson jumper. Simpson pulled Columbia within six points, 38-32, hitting a jump shot at 11:59.
 
Junior Laura Vetra returned the lead to double digits with a lay-in at 8:44 and gave Fairfield a 44-33 lead by hitting a pair of free throws 1:22 later. Columbia continued to hang around, moving within 53-44 with 56 seconds remaining after a three-pointer by Shafer. The Stags were able to hold off the Lions as they went on to the 54-44 win.
 
In addition to her four points, Vetra grabbed five rebounds for the Stags. Sophomore Katie Cizynski finished with four points and three rebounds. For the Lions, Shafer led all scorers with 15 points while Simpson has 10 points and five rebounds before fouling out.
 
Fairfield returns to action on December 13 when it travels to St. Francis (NY).