FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University Women's Basketball team could not take advantage of a slow start by Marist that lasted the entire first half, as the Stags shot under 30 percent for the second-straight game in a 48-34 setback to the Red Foxes at Alumni Hall. Samantha Cooper paced the Stags with her 13th double-double of the season, tying the highest amount for a Stag since the 2013-14 season.
 
That first half saw offensive struggles for both sides, with each side netting just eight field goals. The Stags (10-15, 7-7 MAAC) took their first and last lead of the game at the 3:07 mark of the first quarter when Macey Hollenshead drilled a 3-pointer to give the home team a 10-8 advantage. That long range field goal closed out a personal 5-0 run for the senior.
 
The Stags would not score another field goal until the second quarter as Marist (17-10, 13-2 MAAC) ended the quarter on a 7-0 run.
 
The two teams exchanged field goals in the second quarter with Kristen McLaughlin's lay-up tying the score at the 4:05 mark. Fairfield would even the score again one minute late on a Cooper jumper. Marist, who was without their leading scorer Rebekah Hand, hit only two field goals in the second quarter but would grab the lead going into halftime on four free throws.
 
While the Red Foxes struggled in the second quarter with only a 2-for-13 showing from the field, the Stags could not take advantage as they hit only four field goals in 13 attempts.
 
Marist would open up a sizeable lead as their shots startedto go down in the third quarter, outscoring the Stags 18-6 in the period.
 
Cooper led the Stags in points (11) and rebounds (10) while Sam Kramer tallied three of the team's 10 assists. With her 11 points, Cooper has now recorded 1216 in her Fairfield career, a number that places her 17th on the all-time scoring list.
 
The Stags will host Play 4 Kay the next time they step on to the court, which will be Saturday evening at 5pm against Siena.