FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Stags had their chance in the first quarter to put their mark on the game, but their shots just didn't fall, and when Fairfield got hot, the Pride got hotter as undefeated Hofstra gave Stags their first loss of the season, 67-53 at Alumni Hall.

“I thought both teams were really flat in the first 10 minutes…really that was our chance,” Head Coach Joe Frager said. “That was the opportunity that we had to jump on them and get out to a lead and then the whole complexion of the game kind of changes.”

Through the first 10 minutes, the Stags (3-1) forced a Hofstra (4-0) team, who advanced to the WNIT last season, to five turnovers and limited the Pride to just eight points (seven coming in the final five minutes). However, the defense of Hofstra was equally as impressive forcing five turnovers themselves. The Stags totaled just two field goals in the first quarter with six points.

Fairfield hung around in the first half, going into the locker room down 24-15. In the second half, the Stags turned it around, scoring 38 points, and cut the Pride lead to just four (44-40 with 8:13 left in the fourth quarter). The Stags shot 54 percent in the second half.

However, Hofstra did just enough to hold their lead. They mostly accomplished that from behind the arc, connecting on six of their 10 attempts in the final 20 minutes of play (and three of their final four attempts after the Stags had cut the lead to four). Krystal Luciano and Asia Jackson, who combined to shoot just 6-for-22 from behind the arc coming into the game, hit eight of their 11 combined 3-pointers (Luciano had a career-high 20 points).

The Stags had the scouting report down pat, holding reigning CAA and All-Met Rookie of the Year Ashunae Durant to a season low four points and six rebounds. The Pride, who came into the game averaging 20.5 offensive boards a game had just 33 boards (12 on the offensive glass).

It was the athleticism that Hofstra presented that did not match up with the Stags. Fairfield turned the ball over a season-high 22 times, while forcing 21 on the defensive end themselves.

“Honestly I though we were a little intimidated,” Coach Frager said. “When you face a team that presses, if you show that you're tentative and have any fear that press gets more aggressive. We talked about attacking the press, and when we did that, we went right through it.”

Kelsey Carey continued her hot play with a team-high 17 points (the fourth-straight game she has led the team in scoring. Casey Smith netted a season-high 16 points and grabbed a team-high six boards. Samantha Cooper scored in double figures in her seventh straight outing, finishing with 11.

The Stags will take eight days off before their next game, but it's a big one. Fairfield will open up MAAC play against Iona on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 7pm.