FAIRFIELD, Conn. – You will be hard pressed to find three better student-athletes who exemplify leadership both on and off the court. On Sunday, the fans of the Fairfield University Women's Basketball team will be able to say goodbye to the three member Class of 2017 as the program will host their annual Senior Day when the Stags take on the potential MAAC Regular Season Champions Rider on Sunday at 2pm. In their final home game, Kelsey Carey, Casey Smith, and Kristine Miller will be recognized in a pregame ceremony to remember the many special moments they have had in their career. The pregame festivities will start at around 1:45pm.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The Stags clinched a first-round bye in the upcoming MAAC tournament with another complete team effort in a 57-48 victory against Canisius. The answer in that game came from the backcourt as the guards combined for 21 points in a bounce back effort. In the first game against Canisius, the guard totaled just two points in the losing effort one month prior. While Kendra Landy's career-high 15 points will jump off as the biggest effort, every player who checked into the game had an effect on the outcome. Kristen McLaughlin and Sam Kramer came off the bench and both hit important 3-pointers to give the Stags momentum throughout the contest. After Kramer's 3-pointer, the Stags used that momentum and opened up a 13-point lead going into the fourth quarter, but Canisius answered back. The Griffs opened the final period on a 13-2 run to close the gap to within two points, but two layups from Casey Smith and one from Kelsey Carey gave Fairfield breathing room. Carey tallied team-highs with 18 points and seven rebounds. As mentioned, Landy recorded a career-high 15 points, including six-straight free throws in the final minute.
IT'S SENIOR DAY: Today's game marks the final home game for the three member Fairfield Class of 2017. Casey Smith, Kelsey Carey, and Kristine Miller have accounted for several memorable moments in their careers, but what really sets this particular group apart is their character. In just three season, Smith was able to accomplish more than most players do in a career. In just 87 career games she has amassed over 1,000 points, 400 rebounds, and over 150 assists. Carey's breakout game came on December 3, 2014 when she scored 22 points at Siena. Since that contest, she is averaging 12 points a game and has recorded 12 more 20-point efforts, the most by any active player. Miller has been a leader on and off the court for the Stags. She was chosen to attend the NCAA Student Athlete Leadership Forum last year and was the first Stag to be chosen as a nominee for the WBCA All-State Good Works Team that recognizes players around the nation for charity involvement.
THE BRONCS SCOUTING REPORT: If it wasn't for Sam Kramer's heroics earlier this year, the Rider Broncs would currently be in sole possession of first place. That is how surprising this year has been in Lawrenceville. After being picked eighth in the MAAC Preseason Poll, Rider has displayed unheralded energy throughout the year and has also picked up some magical finishes. With a win, the Broncs will earn a share of their first-ever MAAC Regular Season Championship, but will enter the tournament as the number two seed with a pair of losses to Quinnipiac. Interestingly enough, this will also be the first season that Rider will finish with a record over .500 in the conference. The magical Broncs are led by Robin Perkins, who is currently tied for fifth in the MAAC with 15.5 points per game. Perkins missed the last three games before returning for their victory against Niagara, but played for less than one minute. Perking was four seconds away from being the hero in the first matchup, hitting a go-ahead 3-pointer late in the game against the Stags.
UP NEXT: The Stags will continue their quest for a MAAC Championship when they take part in the conference tournament starting with a Quarterfinal matchup on Saturday.
