BRIDGEPORT, Conn.  – Sometimes the end of the script isn't how you would write it, but Felicia DaCruz did have her senior moment. On her senior day, DaCruz ignited a 10-0 run with her team trailing by 11, but visiting Siena made their plays down the stretch as Fairfield was clipped 54-47 at the Webster Bank Arena. The loss drops Fairfield to a third place tie with Iona and ends their six-game home winning streak.

"I was not disappointed with the loss because Siena is a talented, hard-nosed team," Head Coach Joe Frager said. "I was disappointed because we got dominated on the boards and on the 50-50 balls. Those stats are related to your willingness to get hit and be physical."

Fairfield (12-14, 11-6 MAAC) trailed by 11, their largest deficit of the contest, with 9:03 remaining when DaCruz connected on a 3-pointer to cut into the Siena (16-11. 9-9 MAAC) lead. That would jump start a stretch where DaCruz hit a 3-pointer, had a steal, and dished out an assist in less than 40 seconds of game action. That would start a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to 41-40 with 5:24 remaining.

"We had a nice comeback in the second half, triggered by the hustle and effort of DaCruz," Coach Frager said. "We certainly did not quit."

The Stags trailed by one possession with 1:42 to play when MAAC Rookie of the Year candidate Margot Hetzke drilled a long range shot from the top of the key to give Siena a five-point lead. Siena would then make four free throws in the final stretch of the contest for the 54-47 decision.

Fairfield held the halftime lead after taking the lead with a Casey Smith jumper, two of eight points that the rookie would have in the first period. The Stags earned their largest lead of five after a DaCruz jumper made the score 27-22 with 5:58 left.

The Stags were able to hold Siena to just four field goals in the final nine-minutes of the second half, which put Fairfield back into the game after their slow start of the period offensively, going scoreless for over eight minutes.

Fairfield was able to get clutch shots by Kristin Schatzlein in the second half which was part of the home team's biggest run of the game. Samantha Cooper also hit two 3-pointers in the first half as Cooper also tied for the team lead with six boards.

Helena Orts played valuable minutes off the bench giving the Stags a spark during their run. Orts only scored two points, but provided a presence in the lane defensively during their defensive stand.

Smith led the team with 11 points, the 11^th time in the last 19 games she has reached double figures. Schatzlein and Kristine Miller both finished with eight points apeice. Miller shot 3-4 from the floor and is shooting 63 percent in her last 11 games.

DaCruz chipped in six points and tied a career-high with three steals. The lone senior also notched her 250th career rebound in the contest.

Tehresa Coles led all players with 16 points and Hetzke recorded the game's only double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

"There is not much to differentiate between about five or six MAAC teams and we are one of them," Frager said. "At this stage of the season it's about style of play and matchups and intangibles like heart and responding to physical play."

Fairfield will now play one more game at home, as they welcome nine-time defending MAAC Champions Marist to Alumni Hall Monday night at 7pm.