BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – On the strength of Kristine Miller's 11-straight team points that turned a three point deficit into a four point advantage, the Fairfield women's basketball team picked up their fifth-straight win and their seventh victory in their last eight games in what was arguably their biggest win of the season as they defeated the Siena Saints 67-55.
"I thought this was one of our best performances of the year," Head Coach Joe Frager said. "Siena is an extremely talented team and we knew we had a challenge today. They're very athletic, they have players who can get to the rim…I think our kids did a tremendous job today and we got great contributions from the bench. Everybody stepped up when they needed to."
That has been the mantra of the Stags (13-10, 8-6 MAAC) all season long and it became even more prevalent in the second half. After Siena (12-12, 9-5 MAAC) took the lead on a Symone Kelly layup, Fairfield subbed in Miller who has been the leading scorer off the bench in the last seven games, and she added another number to that total. The junior scored the final nine points for the Stags during the 7:46 stretch to end the third quarter, and the first two points of the fourth. After she hit five of her six shot attempts, Fairfield would grab a 48-44 lead.
"I'm thinking about contributing as much as possible and pick up my teammates," Miller, who tied her career-high with 14 points said. "I think that's a big part of our team mentality that, 'if someone isn't having a good game…or anything is happening, people off the bench have to come in and contribute as much as we can."
"Millz steps into the fold and stepped up for us," Coach Frager said. "She converted some huge baskets and that's what we need from her."
In the fourth quarter, the Stags scored seven points in the opening two minutes of the frame to grab a 53-46 advantage.
Siena would score six-straight points to get within a point with seven minutes left, with a 3-point play by leading scorer Kollyns Scarbrough and a 3-pointer from their rookie sensation Jackie Benitez. But the Stags would hold the Saints scoreless over the next five minutes, and held Siena without a field goal until there was 49 seconds left in the game. During that span, the Stags took full advantage and ended the game on a 14-3 run. Kristin Schatzlein scored nine of her 22 points (which tied a career-high) to account for the run. The highlight of her scoring barrage came out of a timeout, when Kelsey Carey threw a baseball pass out of a timeout, and Schatzlein was able to chase it down and convert for an easy layup.
Miller's career-high tying 14 points was not the only number that showed the contributions from the bench today. Freshman Kendra Landy was forced into the fold when Lizzy Ball went down with two first quarter fouls and dished out a career-high three assists in 14 minutes of work.
The Stags jumped out to an early 13-8 lead in the first quarter, but would go into a scoring drought themselves as the Stags would hit only one more field goal for the rest of the quarter, allowing the visitors to grab a 17-16 lead going into the second quarter.
Schatzlein would help the home side regain the advantage, knocking down three of her four 3-point attempts in the first 20 minutes. With that shooting, the Stags gained a 35-31 lead at halftime, which set the scene for Miller's heroics.
For the Stags, who won their 15th-straight game when scoring 60 or more points, Schatzlein was their leading scorer with 22 points which tied her personal best. She would convert on eight of her 10 shot attempts. She also dished out five assists without a turnover, her third-straight game without a miscue (she has 14 assists during that stretch). Kelsey Carey added 12 points while Samantha Cooper chipped in eight points and a team-high nine rebounds.
For the Saints, who lost their eighth of the last nine regular season meetings in the series, Scarbrough led the squad with 14 points while Kelly recorded the game's only double-double with 12 points and a game-high 10 boards.
The biggest win for the Stags in this game, came in some intangible numbers. The Saints, who average 39 rebounds a game, were out-rebounded by the Stags 35-31. Also, a Siena team that forces nearly 17 turnovers and 10 steals per game, forced just eight Fairfield miscues (three in the second half).
The Stags have now recorded their longest winning streak since February, 2014 when that squad won six-straight. Fairfield will look to tie that mark when they host the Saint Peter's Peacocks on Friday at 7pm at Alumni Hall. It will be the annual 'Play 4 Kay' event for the Stags with the team raising donations and awareness for the foundation that aims to help breast cancer research.
