Women's Basketball Downs Manhattan 73-52 on Senior Night

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Friday night was Senior Night in Alumni Hall and the five-Stag senior class made sure they left a lasting impression. The seniors set the tone as the Fairfield University women's basketball team downed Manhattan College, 73-52, to win their sixth straight contest.

Fairfield (18-8; 13-4 MAAC) was led by senior Katie Cizynski who posted her ninth double-double of the year with a career-high 26 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Cizynski hit 13 field goals, which is one of the top-10 single game performances in program history, while adding two assists and a steal.

Senior Alexys Vazquez scored in double figures for the fourth time in five games, finishing with 17 points while grabbing five boards. Vazquez went 6-for-11 from the field, including five three-pointers marking the sixth time this season in which she's hit at least five trifectas.

Senior Brittany Obi-Tabot posted seven points, five rebounds, two blocks, and an assist. Senior Christelle Akon-Akech notched three points, three assists, a rebound, and a steal while classmate Casey Grace grabbed a career-high five rebounds while adding two points, a block, and a steal.

The first half was close with five ties and five lead changes. With the score tied at 21-21, a lay-up by Cizynski at 4:23 sparked a 6-0 run for the Stags. Manhattan (8-18; 7-10 MAAC) narrowed the gap to 27-23 on a lay-up by Ashley Stec at 1:23. Cizynski answered with a lay-up 16 seconds later to return to the lead to six points. Stec countered with a lay-up with 50 ticks left on the clock to pull the Jaspers within 29-25 heading into halftime.

The Stags opened the second half with an 11-1 run over the first 3:40 to open up a 40-26 lead. Vazquez capped off another run at the 8:10 mark with a three-pointer from the corner to make the score 58-37. The Stags never looked back as they cruised to the 73-52 win.

Sophomore Kristin Schatzlein finished with nine points and a career-high nine assists. Junior Felicia DaCruz handed out 10 assists with five points.

As a team, Fairfield shot 53.4 percent from the field, connecting on 31 of 58 shots, including eight three-pointers. The Stags notched 26 assists and just seven turnovers while recording four blocks and five steals. The Stags held the Jaspers to 39.4 percent shooting (19-for-48) and to 25 rebounds on the night.

Three Jaspers scored in double figures, including Stec who had a team-high 15 points.

Fairfield plays its final three games of the regular season on the road beginning with Siena College on February 23 at 2pm in a game that will air live on TimeWarner Cable Sports Channel, check local listings. The Stags wrap-up the regular season with a trip to Western New York, stopping at Canisius College on February 28 followed by Niagara University on March 2. The 2014 MAAC Championships will be held March 6-10 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass.

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