FAIRFIELD, Conn. – They say the most important win of the season is always the first, and the young Stags had to fight, claw and hang on against an energetic Butler team to prevail 81-77 in double overtime in the 2014-15 home opener.  Four Stags notched career-highs in the contest, led by Kristin Schatzlein who tied a career-best with 21 points, all coming after halftime.

"This was a big win for this group," Head Coach Joe Frager said.  "They found themselves in several stressful situations and had to bounce back on several occassions for the win."

This is the second straight season that Fairfield (1-3) won a game in double overtime, but this time it was much different.  Most of the players were having their first experience in a collegiate overtime game and they were able to find a way to preserve the win.  That is when the experienced players for the Stags stepped up, with Felicia DaCruz tallying five points in the overtime periods and Schatzlein leading the team with eight.  DaCruz had the five free throws to ice the game in the second overtime period.

"We can hopfeully use this as a teaching tool moving forward," Coach Frager said.  "I was very pleased with our competitve fire today.  Practice simulations can't match what they experienced today.  It's a learning process that will unfold throughout the season."

Fairfield led by double digits three times in the first half over a Butler (0-4) team who gave the Stags their tenth win in program history over a current Big East team.  DaCruz capped a 13-3 run to start the game when the senior took the ball on top of the key with the shot clock winding down and swished a three point goal as the buzzer sounded.  DaCruz was returning to the starting lineup after nursing an injury she suffered in the preseason.  She finished with five assists and no turnovers and now has 12 assists with one turnover this season.

"It was great to have Feesh back," Frager said.  "She's still getting her conditioning and game rhythm back.  That will take time.  Her return had a settling impact on the team.  She's been through the basketball wars, and that experience she brings is important to such a young group."

The Stags led 26-16 after a Kelsey Carey free throw with 4:16 remaining in the first half, but Butler would make one of several comebacks that they had this game.  The Bulldogs went on a 11-0 run to end the half and bring a one-point lead into the locker room.  It was the first lead of the game for the Bulldogs. 

Fairfield held the Bulldogs best scorer, Loryn Goodwin to two points in the opening frame, after she scored 18 in her last outing. Goodwin, who was the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year in 2013 with North Texas after hitting 64 3-point field goals, was held to 0-1 from behind the arc in the frame, and 0-5 in the game.

The transfer though would help Butler to several comebacks in the second half and finish with 23 points. 

Fairfield's largest lead in the second half was 10 after a free throw by Kristine Miller made the score 60-50 with 4:17 remaining.  Along the way, the Stags shot over 44 percent from the floor in the second frame, led by Casey Smith going 5-6 shooting with 12 points.

Butler would go on another 10-1 run to end regulation after a layup by Ijeoma Uchendu forced the game to go into overtime.  The Stags used their height advantage to outrebound Butler 45-31 in the first 40 minutes, but  the Bulldogs had a 36-28 advantage in points in the paint.

The Stags hit two straight three-pointers by Margeaux Dupuy and Schatzlein to take a 68-64 lead in the first overtime.  But the two big scorers for Butler in Goodwin and Uchendu scored every point for Butler in the extra frame to force another five minutes. 

Fairfield needed just two field goals in the second overtime, starting with Schatzlein's fifth three-pointer of the game and a jumper by Smith gave the Stags a 76-73 lead.  Butler had some more opportunities, but DaCruz made five out of six free throws to give the Stags a 81-77 win. 

Helena Orts had a career-high 11 rebounds and six points, making critical free throws down the stretch to help keep the game close.  Carey, once again, gave energy off the bench and pulled down two offensive rebounds, putting one back in over a taller defender.

The win is the second straight for the Stags over Butler, and their first overall this season.

Fairfield will try for their first winning streak of the year when they welcome Cornell to campus on Monday at 7pm.