FAIRFIELD, Conn. – For the third time in the last four games, the Stags will be broadcasted across the country on ESPN3, as Fairfield travels to West Long Branch, N.J. for a game against Monmouth on Sunday at 2pm. Fairfield is currently playing their best basketball of the season, winner of five of their last six games while holding opponents to fewer than 50 points four times during that span. The Stags will look for their first win on the road against the Hawks since 1998. The game will be broadcasted live with Bob Lampinen and Bob Davies having the call.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Fairfield is coming off their second straight comeback win after trailing by double digits at some point in the game as they defeated Rider 43-40 at home. Kelsey Carey and Casey Smith combined to score 32 of the team's 43 points, including the first 12 for Fairfield in the second half. Both members of the duo scored 16-points in the contest. Samantha Cooper led the game with 12 rebounds, the most by a Stags player this season. The Stags had to overcome a 10-point first half deficit, the second straight game they trailed by double figures in the first half. Rider went on a 9-0 run to take the lead 21-11. For the next 26 minutes, Fairfield would hold the Broncs to 19 points, including 13 in the second half, the first time this season the Stags have limited an opponent to fewer than 20 points in any half this season. It was also the fourth time in the last five games that the Stags have held an opponent to fewer than 50 points. The 40 points allowed was the fewest by an opponent this year.
THE COMEBACK KIDS: The win against Rider marked the second-straight game in which the Stags rallied after trailing in double-digits to comeback and win the game. Fairfield trailed by 10 in the first half against Rider after coming back from a 12-point deficit against Saint Peter's. The 12-point deficit against Saint Peter's was the largest deficit overcome since Feb 24, 2012. The Stags have now come back to win three games when trailing by 10 or more. In six of the seven wins this season, the Stags had to overcome a second half deficit.
WHERE'S THE THREE?: The Stags did not hit a 3-pointer against Rider, breaking their streak of 310 consecutive games with at least one 3-pointer that dated back to December 2, 2004 against Saint Peter's. On the positive side, the Stags did not allow a Rider 3-point field goal the first time they blanked their opponent in that category since November 27, 2012 (78 straight games).
HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?: The Stags had their best defensive showing in the four of their last five games. It is the first time they have held an opponent to fewer than 50 points four times in a five game span since November 13- December 1, 2012. Fairfield accomplished that feat in six-straight games during that season. The 13 second half points that Fairfield held Rider to was the first time this season that the Stags have held an opponent to fewer than 20 points in any half and the fewest in 20 minutes since they held Maine to 13 first half points on March 23 last season. Since the beginning of last season, the Stags have allowed fewer than 50 points nine times, and are 9-0 in those games.
FAIRFIELD VS. MONMOUTH: The two teams will be meeting for the eighth time in school history, and for the third time in the 21st century. The Stags are 5-2 overall and 1-1 in the MAAC against the Hawks.
The Stags will be looking to win their second road game in program history against the Hawks and the first since 1998. Fairfield is 1-2 all-time as the visiting team against Monmouth. The Stags split their two games against Monmouth last season, while averaging 58.5 points per game. The two teams struggled from behind the arc, combining to shoot 29 percent from long range. Kristin Schatzlein, was the team's leader on the offensive end for returning starters with 10.5 points per game and 4.5 boards. The junior shot 36 percent from the floor and 31 percent from long range in the two games. Felicia DaCruz played in all but one minute during the two games combined and dished out seven assists on just one turnover.
SCOUTING THE HAWKS: The Hawks are a deceptive team compared to their 7-11 record. Monmouth's season was highlighted by a double overtime win against Iona in December and a 20-point win against Colgate. Monmouth is coming in with a two-game losing streak, with both losses coming on their home floor where they are 3-5 this season. The Hawks are coming off a loss to Siena, where the Saints recorded the game-winner with under 10 seconds to play. Monmouth is a team that can cause match-up problems with the Stags, with seven players on their roster listed as 5-11 or taller. The Hawks use that length on the defensive side, averaging 8.3 steals per game, the fourth most in the MAAC. The Hawks can also run to the shooters, leading the MAAC in 3-point percentage defense limiting opponents to 27 percent from behind the arc. Monmouth also grabs 41.7 rebounds per outing, second in the conference. The shots might be hard to come by, but Fairfield will have an opportunity on the offensive end as the Hawks allow nearly 69 points per game, with opponents bringing down 48 rebounds per MAAC contest. The Hawks are led by their long range threat in guard Sarah Olson who has connected on 39 percent of her 121 3-point attempts this season. Olson is one of three Hawks players who are averaging at least one 3-pointer per game. Olson is coming off the best game of her career, tallying 27 against Siena. Monmouth is a deep team with 11 players averaging more than five minutes per contest. On the glass, 6-4 sophomore Christina Mitchell is bringing down 6.6 rebounds per game and shooting 41 percent from the floor.
UP NEXT: The Stags will open up a weekend home stand when they welcome the offensive force of the Iona Gaels at Alumni Hall on Thursday at 7pm.
