FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University Women's Basketball team will tip-off a Fairfield basketball doubleheader when they host the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds on Tuesday at 5pm at the Webster Bank Arena. This contest will precede the Fairfield men's basketball game against the same Blackbirds which is scheduled for 7:30pm.
The Stags started off their 2018-19 season with an 18-point victory against A-10 foe Richmond, 58-40. The game was decided in the third quarter where Fairfield would out-score the Spiders 25-8, after beginning the half on a 14-0 run.
Khadidiatou Diouf accounted for 12 of her game-high 17 points in the quarter. The Stags would hold Richmond without a point until the 4:25 mark of the period.
Diouf led the Stags in both points (17) and rebounds (nine) while
Sam Lewis (11) and
Katie Armstrong (10) tallied career-highs. Lewis' set her personal mark just five minutes into the season as she accounted for eight of the team's first 10 points.
Sam Kramer orchestrated the offense, matching her career-high with seven assists.
The season-opening win was the 17th in program history. Of what could be good fortune for the Stags, in each of the previous 16 occasions, the Stags have finished the season with a winning record.
Joe Frager has now notched eight season-opening wins.
LIU Brooklyn comes into the game with a 0-2 record after falling to Manhattan and Army West Point. Freshman guard Brandy Thomas has been the offensive leader for the Blackbirds, averaging 12.5 points per game on a .423 shooting percentage. She also averages a double-double, grabbing 11.5 rebounds per contest. Sophomore guard Jeydah Johnson is the team leader with 13.0 points.
The Blackbirds were picked seventh in the NEC Preseason Poll, and will look to replace four of their top-five scorers from last season. Johnson is their leading returning scorer, after averaging 12.0 points last season. LIU welcomes six new members to their roster and features 11 underclassmen.
The Stags are 1-1 all-time against the Blackbirds, with their last meeting coming nearly 20 years ago.
The Stags will play their next four games on the road, starting with a contest at Xavier on Saturday, November 17 at 2pm.
