JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Basketball is a game of two sides: offensive and defense. When one aspect isn't working, the team must rely on the other to keep them within the game. Unfortunately today for the Stags, when one side was working the other was not. The Stags hit just 28 percent (8-29) in the first half but the defense stepped up to keep the Stags within striking distance. However, the defense could only hold the fort for so long as the Stags ended up falling 56-46 to Saint Peter's in Jersey City.

“I thought for the first 20 minutes, our defense was outstanding,” Head Coach Joe Frager said. “We had opportunities in the first half but missed a lot of open shots. I think we got discouraged and our shoulders dropped, but they responded well in the fourth.”

The Stags (6-9, 1-5 MAAC) did not give up, which is a good sign for the team going forward, as they used a different combination in the fourth quarter and it helped ignite them to their biggest fight of the game as the Stags struck within 48-43, but could not compete the comeback.

“I think the starters were struggling to shoot the ball and unfortunately their shoulders dropped,” Frager said. “I was reall happy with what Dija gave us and what Orts gave us and what Foley gave us off the bench. They gave us a ton of energy and sparked our mini comeback.”

Kristine Miller had two blocks (including one swat that could make any highlight reel) and Kelsey Carey drew an important charge right at the end of the second quarter to keep Fairfield within a point at the half.

Saint Peter's (4-10, 2-4 MAAC) weathered the defensive storm, shooting 54 percent in the third quarter and headed to the final quarter with their largest lead of the day 37-25.

The offensive struggles started early on as both teams got off to a slow start inside the Yanitelli Center. Sajanna Bethea was the lone player to find shooting success in the first quarter. The Peacocks' leading scorer connected on three of her first four shots in the opening quarter, helping the homes side to a 10-8 first quarter advantage.

The defense of the Stags was forced to step up during this slump. A leaping block from Miller who swatted a Peacocks shot, was the highlight of the first 10 minutes. This kept Fairfield in the game despite shooting 19 percent (3-for-16) during the frame.

That defense continued to be called into battle in the second quarter and they responded by allowing just two Peacocks' points during the first seven minutes of the quarter. That allowed the Stags to grab their first lead of the game. Carey's jumper at the 6:32 mark gave Fairfield that 12-10 advantage.

However, they could not take full advantage. Bethea's 3-pointer broke the skid for Saint Peter's at the 2:48 mark and the Peacocks would take a 20-19 lead in the locker room.

The Stags had an opportunity to take a halftime lead after Carey took a charge to give Fairfield the ball back with 26.6 seconds remaining, but the last shot went wildly over the rim.

In the end, the defense could only hold the fort for so long. The Peacocks' went on a 7-0 run to start the second half, with the Stags misfiring on their first eight shots during the third quarter. Khadidiatou "Dija" Diouf snapped that Fairfield skid with her first two career points at the 5:06 mark, but the Peacocks answered back with another 6-0 run to put the score at 33-21.

Saint Peter's actually shot 54 percent during the third frame and had their largest lead (37-25) heading to the fourth quarter.

Fairfield found their best fight in the final 10 minutes, using a different combination than normal. Helena Orts touched the net for the Stags at the 8:25 mark to open the scoring. Orts would eventually hit a 3-pointer followed by a pair of long range baskets by Casey Foley. Fairfield would cut the deficit to just five at 45-40 and 48-43, but five points by Hala Mostafa killed the rally.

In total, the Stags shot 26.2 percent (17-65) from the floor, including a 11.8 percent (2-17) mark in the third quarter but a .368 clip (7-19) in the fourth quarter. Smith led the Stags with 13 points while Samantha Cooper grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds. The bench also showed contributions with Foley tying a career-high with six points, Orts had seven, and Diouf with a career-high four.

Bethea led all scorers with 16 points and Mostafa followed her with 15 of her own.

The Stags will continue their stay in the Garden State with a game against Rider on Thursday at 5pm against Rider on ESPN3.