JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Samantha Cooper's 26 points led a trio of Stags in double figures and Casey Foley led the defensive attack with a career-high six steals as the Fairfield University Women's Basketball team won in dominating fashion 62-40 over Saint Peter's at the Yanitelli Center. The 40 points was the fewest the Stags allowed to an opponent this season.
 
"I was very pleased with our defensive effort," Head Coach Joe Frager said. "I thought Assistant Coach Stephanie Geehan did a great job preparing the team, we only had one-day prep. She really did a great job with the points of emphasis and getting the team ready. And credit the girls for following her gameplan."
 
Cooper began what would be a 26-point scoring night by outscoring the entire Saint Peter's (4-23, 1-15 MAAC) team over the first 10 minutes as she tallied nine points in the opening quarter. Her 3-pointer started the scoring for the Stags (12-15, 9-7 MAAC) and her two free throws capped the scoring in the period. Khadidiatou Diouf was the only other Stag to score in the first quarter as she made back-to-back baskets in the paint, the latter breaking a 7-7 tie at the 5:33 mark.
 
The Stags would hold Saint Peter's scoreless until the 6:23 mark of the second quarter, a scoreless streak that lasted over eight minutes due to the Fairfield defense. Over that stretch, the Peacocks would miss eight-straight shots, which was snapped by an Alyssa Velles 3-pointer. That score was answered quickly by Macey Hollenshead, who hit a long range shot that gave Fairfield a 20-11 advantage. Another Cooper 3-pointer and a Diouf field goal extended that lead to 25-13, the largest the Stags would have in the first half.
 
Fairfield would go into halftime with a 27-18 lead as Saint Peter's was able to chip away some of their deficit with six points from Sajanna Bethea.
 
Saint Peter's was able to cut the deficit to eight points on two free throws from Brianna Tarabocchia at the 6:47 mark, but those would be the final points the Stags would allow for the rest of the quarter. Fairfield ended the period on a 10-0, featuring five points each from Cooper and Sam Kramer. Casey Foley helped the defensive stand with two steals during the stretch. The senior recorded five steals during the first three quarters. The Stags would lead 43-27 going into the final quarter.
 
The Peacock scoreless drought would end in the opening minute of the fourth quarter when D'Aviyon Magazine beat the shot clock to bury a long 3-pointer. Her long range shot was answered right back by a top of the key 3-pointer by Cooper. Cooper would add another jumper to complete her 26-point scoring output.
 
Fairfield went on a 13-0 following Magazine's buzzer beater, capped by four-straight points by Kendra Landy, which extended the Fairfield lead to 58-30. The Stags would not allow another field goal until the 1:48 mark, snapping an eight minute stretch for the Peacocks.
 
Kramer (11) and Diouf (10) joined Cooper in double figures. Cooper led the team in rebounding with eight, but her streak of four-straight double-doubles was snapped in the win.

The Stags were efficient on the offensive end, shooting 47 percent from the floor and 42 percent from long range.

 
Fairfield will now embark on their final road trip of the season at Monmouth on Friday at 7pm.