WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Defensive numbers can be positive and some can be negative, and the Fairfield University Women's Basketball team saw both sides of the ledger in a 73-65 loss at Monmouth. Casey Foley set a career-high with eight steals, the most by a Stag since 2001 and the fourth-most in a game in program history, but that could not offset a hot shooting night for Monmouth. The Hawks shot 59 percent from long range, including a 60 percent mark in the second half as Monmouth won their sixth home game in their last seven outings.
 
It was the Stags who started the game hot on the offensive end as they connected on their first three 3-point attempts. Foley opened the scoring on Fairfield's second possession with a 3-pointer and fellow guards Sam Kramer and Macey Hollenshead also converted their first 3-point attempt. Hollenshead's basket capped a 10-2 run for the Stags and sent the team into the first media timeout with a 13-7 lead.
 
Foley started her career defensive game during that span, swiping three steals in the first six minutes of the game as Monmouth connected on just two of their first seven shots.
 
The Stags were able to keep a lead until the 7:27 mark of the second quarter when Alaina Jarnot gave the Hawks the lead with a jumper in the lane. Kramer would answer with a 3-pointer in the corner, but Monmouth would tie the contest on their next possession.
 
Fairfield would rattle off a 6-0 run, featuring two jumpers from Khadidiatou Diouf, but Monmouth would inch back closer and cut the Fairfield lead to 31-30 at the half.
 
The third quarter would feature four ties and five lead changes as the two teams combined for 32 points in the first eight minutes. Like the Stags did to start the game, Monmouth would get hot from the outside going 4-for-6 from deep to open the half. A 3-pointer by Dana Carbone gave the Hawks a 47-46 lead into a timeout.
 
The Stags would try and fight back in the final quarter with Foley and Samantha Cooper both knocking down 3-pointers as Fairfield's first two field goals of the period. Cooper's long range shot cut the Monmouth lead to 53-52.
 
Diouf would give the Stags the lead with a hook shot at the 6:06 mark, but that lead would last for just 13 seconds as the Hawks answered with a 3-pointer by Carol Arfinengo. That bucket would be the start of a 6-0 run by Monmouth, forcing the Stags to play catch-up late.
 
Trailing by eight with 3:32 left, the Stags would try to begin their comeback. Foley would give the Stags extra possessions as she tallied back-to-back steals with under two minutes left, but Fairfield could not fully capitalize. The Stags would only hit six free throws in the final three minutes of the game and Kayla Shaw's corner 3-pointer with 47 seconds left sealed the result.
 
Hollenshead would score the last field goal for the Stags on a 3-pointer.
 
Foley was the Stags leader in almost every category as her 15 points led four Stags in double figures. She would shoot 5-for-7 from the field, including a 3-for-5 mark from long range. Cooper would add 14 for the Stags, bringing her career total to 1,269, which places her 16th on the program's all-time scoring list. Diouf would chip in 14 on 7-for-15 shooting while Hollenshead tied a career-high with 14 points.
 
Foley's eight steals also tied Amani Tatum with the most by a MAAC player this season.
 
On her senior night, Rhaiah Spooner-Knight would near a career-high with a game-high 24 points.
 
The Stags will now wrap up their 2017-18 regular season against Iona on Senior Day. Before the game, the three-member senior class will be honored as Cooper, Hollenshead, and Kristen McLaughlin will play their final game on the George Bisacca Court at Alumni Hall. Tip-off is at 2pm with Senior Day ceremonies beginning at 1:50 pm.