BALTIMORE, Md. – The Fairfield University women's basketball team had their second half comeback fall short as the Stags fell at Loyola University Maryland, 55-48, this afternoon at Reitz Arena. It was the second-straight loss for the Stags who fall to 11-3 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) and 18-7 overall.
 
Senior Desiree Pina posted 13 points and four rebounds for the Stags. Senior Taryn Johnson  had eight points and seven rebounds while junior Katelyn Linney finished with six points and five assists.
 
The Stags were hampered by turnovers in the first half, committing 12. The Greyhounds (12-13; 8-6 MAAC) took advantage and used a 16-2 run over a six minute span midway through the period to pull away, 20-6. Fairfield cut it to nine points, 24-13, after sophomore Christelle Akon-Akech grabbed a rebound and went coast-to-coast for an easy lay-in. The Stags pulled within seven points, 24-17, on a bucket by Katie Cizynski at 2:40. The Greyhounds quickly returned their lead to double figures and took a 30-19 lead into halftime.
 
Fairfield came out strong in the second half, going on a 7-0 run over 1:35. Alexys Vazquez capped off the run by nailing a three-pointer at 16:03 to pull the Stags within 34-28. Fairfield continued to chip away at the lead as Johnson made it 36-32 at the 14-minute mark. Linney then knocked down a three-pointer at 12:26 to cut the deficit to 36-35.
 
Junior Brittany MacFarlane gave Fairfield a 37-36 advantage at 11:39 with a jumper from the top of the key. With the score tied 39-39, Miriam McKenzie hit a jumper at 8:22 to return the lead to Loyola. The lead didn't last long as Linney made it 42-41 in favor of the Stags with a three-pointer at 5:02.
 
After trading baskets over the next several minutes, McKenzie came up with a steal and took it in for a lay-in to put Loyola ahead 47-46 with 1:24 left in the game. McKenzie then hit a pair of free throws with 32.4 seconds left to push the lead to 49-46. Katie Sheahin followed with a pair of free throws to give Loyola a five point advantage. Pina pulled the Stags within 51-48 on a lay-up with 21.6 seconds left but the Greyhounds were able to hold the Stags off.
 
McKenzie had 18 points for the Greyhounds while Sheahin added 13 points.
 
Fairfield out-rebounded Loyola 33-26. The Stags shot 41.2 percent from the floor while the Greyhounds shot 37.5 percent. The Stags had 18 turnovers for the game while the Greyhounds had 11.
 
Fairfield continues its MAAC road swing next weekend travelling to Niagara University on February 17 and Canisius College on February 19