FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University Women's Basketball team dropped their first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) contest of the season as they fell to the visiting Rider Broncs 61-45. Samantha Cooper led the Stags in both points (14) and rebounds (11) in picking up her seventh double-double of the season in the setback.
 
The Stags (6-9, 3-1 MAAC) hung around with Rider (6-10, 3-2 MAAC) in a first half that featured both offense and defense. The first quarter was fast paced as the teams combined to shoot 64 percent from the floor, including a 70 percent showing from the Stags (7-for-10). Despite the successful showing from the floor, the Stags trailed by three (19-16) after the first quarter as they fell victim to five turnovers.
 
The second quarter was a completely different story, as the Stags' defense held Rider scoreless for the first five minutes, allowing Fairfield to grab their first lead of the game on a Sam Kramer jumper at the 5:49 mark, making the score 21-19.
 
The Broncs would only hit two field goals in the quarter, both coming from Kamila Hoskova. The second of the successful baskets gave the Broncs a 24-22 lead, the same margin they would keep going into halftime.
 
In the second quarter, the Stags limited the Broncs to a 20 percent showing (2-for-10), but only managed to connect on two of their 11 attempts.
 
The Broncs would hold the lead for the rest of the contest, with Fairfield's final push coming in the third quarter. Khadidiatou Diouf hit three-straight jumpers and Kendra Landy added two free throws to cut the Broncs lead to one at 32-31. Rider would respond with a 9-0 run to put the lead into double digits. The Stags would miss 11-straight baskets to end the quarter.
 
The Broncs would hit four of their eight shots in the fourth quarter and add nine free throws for the victory.
 
In the setback, Cooper would tally her seventh double-double of the season and the 24th of her career. The conference leader in steals in league games, Casey Foley tied her career-high with four steals for the third time in the last four games.
 
For Rider, Stella Johnson tallied a game-high 19 points and Hoskova recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards.
 
The Stags are back in action when they travel to Poughkeepsie, N.Y., to take on Marist on Saturday at 4pm.