FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Katie Armstrong scored seven-straight Fairfield points in overtime, leading to a career-high 24 point outing as the Fairfield University Women's Basketball team kept their composure in a 73-64 overtime win against Hofstra at the George Bisacca Court at Alumni Hall. The win is the first overtime victory for the Stags this season and represents the program's first win over Hofstra since 1982.
 
"I'm really proud of the team with the way we fought back," Armstrong said. "We did really well in the first half and then dipped in the second half but we fought back in overtime so that's all that matters. It's an exciting win."
 
Armstrong put the team on her back, out-scoring Hofstra herself in the extra period 8-7. Armstrong's offensive success helped the Stags bounce back from a demoralizing end to regulation as Hofstra's Jaylen Hines dribbled past the defense on the baseline to roll in a game-tying lay-up as the buzzer sounded. Hines' team-leading seventh field goal forced the first overtime contest this year for either side.
 
That lay-up also swung a range of emotion for the Stags and their fans, as the Stags had grabbed the lead on the previous possession leaving just 1.5 seconds on the clock. Sam Kramer connected on a mid-range jumper to put the score at 57-55 before Hofstra advanced the ball on the timeout and tied up the contest.
 
"We just gave ourselves about a minute or so to be upset and down about it," Head Coach Joe Frager said. "But then we just got in the huddle and said, 'if we carry these emotions into overtime we're not going to get the job done. We just got to clear the slate, we're playing at home and the score is tied with five minutes left and that's the way we have to approach it."
 
Fairfield led for nearly 38 minutes in the game, and jumped out to another big early lead. The Stags shot 67 percent in the first quarter as they hit 10 of their 15 shots. Fairfield would lead 23-16 after the first quarter and 36-26 going into the locker room.
 
Besides their shooting accuracy the Stags had one of their best all-around halves of the season, dishing out nine assists without a turnover. The Stags would out-score the Pride 16-0 on points off turnovers in the first half. Rachel Hakes recorded five dimes without a miscue in the first half and would finish the game with seven clean assists.
 
Armstrong was one of four Stags to finish in double figures and she also led the team in rebounding for the fifth time this season. Kramer followed with 16 points on a 3-for-8 shooting clip from behind the arc. She has now connected on 116 long range 3-pointers in her career, placing her 11th on the all-time list. She also doubled her career output with two blocks in the contest, as the Stags swatted seven Hofstra shots.
 
The 73 points represents the most the Stags have scored this season, eclipsing the 66 points they netted in their previous game against Navy. The Stags are now an incredible 29-1 this decade when they reach 70 points in a game. That streak started in the 2010-11 season, after a loss to Hofstra.
 
Fairfield will now have nearly two weeks off before their next contest when they travel to St. John's for a road contest on Friday, Dec. 20, at 7pm.