HAMDEN, Conn. – Right when the schedule was released, the Stags knew their final four games would be a challenge. After all, they were the only team in the country to end their season by playing the conference's first, second, and third place team on the road to end the year. So, although they end the regular season on a three-game losing streak, there is still hope going into the MAAC Tournament. Quinnipiac senior guard Maria Napolitano set the tone on Senior Night with four 3-pointers in the first half and by the end of the game the Bobcats would knock down 10 of their 22 shots from deep as first-place Quinnipiac took a 83-58 decision at the TD Bank Sports Center, for their 16th-straight win.

Both teams came out shooting in the first quarter with the two teams combining for six 3-pointers in the first five minutes. Kristin Schatzlein had a pair of those long range shots, including a 3-pointer out of a timeout that gave the Stags (16-13, 11-9 MAAC) their first lead of the day at 13-11 with 4:40 left in the first quarter.

But the Bobcats (21-7, 16-3 MAAC) would knock down three of their own during the first 10 minutes, with two coming from Napolitano. Freshman Paula Strautmane's 3-pointer answered Schatzlein's in the middle of the first quarter and gave the Bobcats the lead back at 14-13, and the Bobcats would lead the rest of the way.

The fouls became a problem for the Stags, who were whistled for seven team fouls in the first quarter, compared to one for the physical Bobcats. Casey Smith and Kelsey Carey combined to play nine minutes in the first half after picking up two early fouls.

Fouling was an issue for the Stags, who were whistled a season-high 25 times, despite entering the game 26th in the country in fewest fouls per game.

The Bobcats opened up their largest lead of the first half after two more 3-pointers by Napolitano forced a Fairfield timeout with the Bobcats taking a 24-15 advantage with 6:52 left in the second quarter.

After the Stags cut the deficit to five, Quinnipiac scored the next eight points, and 10 of the final 12 points in the half, to grab a commanding 38-22 lead going into the locker room.

Khadidiatou "Dija" Diouf provided a spark off the bench, scoring four of the team's seven second quarter points.

The Stags were able to cut the deficit to 14 points late in the third quarter, but a foul with 0.2 seconds left in the period regained the Quinnipiac 16-point advantage,

Every time the Stags would score, Quinnipiac would answer right back, especially from the 3-point arc. Quinnipiac hit 10 of their first 19 shots from deep, and led by as many as 22 in the third quarter.

For the second-straight game, turnovers were a problem against a high-pressure defense as the Stags turned the ball over 21 times in the contest. In the past two games, the Stags have committed 37 miscues (entered the game 21st in the country in fewest turnovers per contest).

On the positive side, free throw shooting continues to improve for the team, who were 18-for-23 from the line, including hitting eight-straight at one point.

For the game, two Stags scored in double figures, led by Kelsey Carey's 15 points, 11 coming in the second half. Schatzlein went 3-for-7 from deep and recorded 11 for the Stags. Once again, Lizzy Ball had a game-high in assists, dishing out seven with three turnovers.

For Quinnipiac, who won their 16th-straight game, senior Napolitano led the Bobcats with 20 points in her final home game. Sarah Shewan added 11 points off the bench. Freshman Aryn McClure hauled in a game-high 10 boards and Brittany Johnson swiped a career-high four steals.

The Stags will await their opponent, who can be either: Manhattan, Siena, or Monmouth, depending on results. Fairfield is locked into the No. 4 vs No, 5 Quarterfinal matchup in the MAAC Tournament and will open play on Saturday at 2:30pm at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y.