Box Score PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Fairfield University Women's Basketball team used an energetic start to the second half and got within three points near the end of the third quarter, but UMass would answer with an 8-0 run spanning into the fourth quarter to take a 59-49 victory in the final game of the Turkey Tip-off hosted by Brown University.
 
Sam Kramer, who had the best game of her season, was the Stag (2-4) who connected on a 3-pointer to put the Stags within 36-33 and also hit a long range shot to end the 8-0 Minutewomen (5-2) run.
 
The Stags were the first team on the scoreboard as Kendra Landy connected on a 3-pointer 50 seconds in, to give the Stags a 3-0 lead. However, that would be the only field goal for the Stags for eight minutes as Fairfield misfired on their next 10 shots until Casey Foley's long range shot stopped a 9-0 UMass run with just over a minute to play in the period.
 
Four of the first six Fairfield field goals in the first half all came from long range, including trifectas from Andrea Hernangomez and Kramer. Kramer's long range shot put the Stags within six points, their closest margin of the quarter until a pair of free throws by Hailey Leidel put the halftime score at 28-20 in favor of the Minutewomen.
 
The Stags limited UMass to just three field goals in the second period as they clawed their way back into the game. Hernangomez was a big part of the defensive front, collecting six rebounds, two steals, and a block in 12 minutes in the half.
 
Fairfield came out with energy in the second half, scoring the first four points after the intermission, coming from a layup and a pair of free throws by Khadidiatou Diouf to make the score 28-24. The mini 4-0 run was set up by the defensive intensity that forced four UMass turnovers and a Landy block inside the first five minutes.
 
UMass responded by a quick 6-0 spurt before another two free throws from Diouf ended the run. Kramer would bring the Stags within one possession as she connected on a 3-pointer from the left wing to put the score at 36-33 and forced a UMass timeout at the 1:51 mark of the third quarter.
 
The Minutewomen scored the first two points of the fourth to increase their run to 8-0, before Kramer's 3-pointer ended the spurt.
 
The Stags made one final push as a Diouf jumper and two free throws from Katie Armstrong put the score at 50-44 with under two minutes left. However, UMass was able to make their free throws down the stretch for the victory.
 
Diouf was named to the All-Tournament team after averaging 14.3 points and six rebounds in the three games while shooting 63 percent (17-for-27) from the floor and 82 percent (9-for-11) from the charity stripe.
 
Foley led the defensive charge with a team-high three steals to bring her team lead to 14 on the season.
 
Offensively, Armstrong (13) and Diouf (12) were the lone two Stags in double figures with Kramer right behind them with nine.
 
The Stags are back in action on Sunday, Dec. 2 at Alumni Hall when they welcome William & Mary.