RIVERDALE, N.Y. – The Fairfield University Women's Basketball team had the chance to tie or take the lead several times in the final two minutes, but the Stags misfired on their final five shots of the game and fell 47-41 to Manhattan.
 
An early eight point deficit forced a Fairfield timeout just two minutes into the second quarter. The Stags responded to the message in the huddle by rattling off seven-straight points to get within 14-13 midway through the quarter. Eden Nibbelink started the streak as she connected on the team's first 3-point field goal of the game and was followed by a Katie Armstrong jumper and a Khadidiatou Diouf lay-up.
 
Fairfield would gain the lead temporarily as Casey Foley hit her first 3-pointer of the night to put Fairfield out in front 20-18. Manhattan would grab the advantage back as Sydney Watkins swished in a 3-pointer with four seconds left to give the Jaspers a 21-20 lead into the break.
 
It took the Stags just 14 seconds to regain the lead as a Lou Lopez-Senechal jumper to open the half put the Stags up one point. That would be the last lead for the Stags for the quarter as the Jaspers would respond with an 8-0 run to grab a seven point advantage. Armstrong and Diouf would help get the Stags within one possession to end the quarter by connecting on two field goals each.
 
Manhattan would tie their largest lead of the night at eight points in the fourth quarter as the Stags did not connect on a field goal for the first seven minutes of the quarter.
 
The Stags stayed alive with their performance from the free throw line as Fairfield shot a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe.
 
Fairfield had one last run as they went on a 7-0 stretch featuring four free throws and a Foley 3-pointer to get within one point at 42-41. However, they could not get any closer as they misfired on their final five shots for the 47-41 score.
 
Foley led the Fairfield defense that forced 19 turnovers with five steals moving into 15th on the all-time list. She also became just the third player in program history joining Jessica Grossarth and Holli Tapley with 250 assists, 150 steals and 100 made 3-pointers in their career.
 
Armstrong was the only Stag to reach double figures as she netted 12 points. Diouf led in rebounding with eight while Lopez-Senechal grabbed a career-high seven boards.
 
The Stags shot just 14-for-51 from the field, just one fewer field goal than the Manhattan defense surrendered to Marist in their last time out.
 
Fairfield will next host Monmouth on Super Sunday at 2pm at Alumni Hall.