FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University Women's Basketball team will don their pink uniforms as they host their annual #Play4Kay contest when they take on Canisius on the George Bisacca Court at Alumni Hall on Thursday at 7pm.
 
Play4Kay is a national women's basketball initiative named in honor of legendary North Carolina State women's basketball coach Kay Yow. The Stags and their counterparts around the country will be raising money to benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
 
This Thursday at Alumni Hall, fans can make a donation, purchase a "Herd For a Cure" t-shirt for $10 (cash only) and participate in a silent auction beginning at 6 p.m. with items including a signed Fairfield Women's Basketball jersey and ball. The first 200 fans in attendance will also receive a free pink Rice Krispies treat, and all fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness.
 
The Stags are also participating in the Play4Kay Free Throw Challenge throughout the month of February. Fans can pledge a donation to benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund for every free throw made by the Stags this month. Donations are counted retroactively – any donation between now and Feb. 28 will be accepted and counted for the entire month.
 
For fans that can't make it to Thursday's game, the Stags Sports Network will be presenting a free ESPN3 broadcast live from Alumni Hall. Fans who tune in to the free broadcast are also encouraged to consider a donation to the Stags' Play4Kay Free Throw Challenge or directly to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

The Stags will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak as they wrap up their season series with Canisius. Fairfield fell to Monmouth by 10 points in their last outing as the Hawks out-scored the Stags 27-17 in the final quarter.
 
Fairfield took their biggest lead of 10 points with 3:47 left in the third quarter, but Monmouth would end that stanza on a 10-0 run to knot the score. Fairfield tried to take control of the game by forcing 22 turnovers, tying the most an opponent has had this season. The Stags were able to turn those turnovers into 31 points.
 
Three Stags tallied double figures, led by a career-high 19 points from senior Casey Foley. The guard also swished through a career-high five 3-pointers and swiped five steals for the second-straight game.
 
Monmouth was able to grab the lead in part of their fourth quarter shooting that saw the Hawks connect on five of their seven attempts from behind the arc. The final period has been the downfall for the Fairfield defense as MAAC opponents are shooting 54 percent from behind the arc in the fourth quarter, which includes a 61 percent clip over the final five minutes.
 
Canisius has won three-straight games starting with a victory at Rider to get their 7-3 league mark.
 
They have found their footing in league games as they lead the conference in both field goal percentage (.448) and field goal defense (.326) in MAAC only games. They also are the most accurate team from behind the 3-point arc (.412) and defending the perimeter (.257).
 
Sara Hinriksdottir and Danielle Sanderlin control the boards with both student-athletes averaging over eight rebounds per game. Hinriksdottir also pours in 13 points per contest, which leads the team.
 
The Stags will next host Niagara at Alumni Hall on Saturday at 5pm, in a contest that will be streamed live on the NCAA Women's Basketball Facebook page.