FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University Women's Basketball team continued their best conference start in eight years as they held off the Canisius Golden Griffins by a final score of 72-70 to improve to 4-0 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
Sam Kramer made one of several key plays down the stretch as her layup gave the Stags that two point lead with just one second left on the clock.
Molly Bauer would make the next important play as she deflected the inbounds pass, leading the Stags to the exciting victory.
"If I didn't have to coach this game, I would have loved to watch this game," Head Coach
Joe Frager joked after the victory. "From a coach's perspective this was a very stressful game. I thought Canisius played a great basketball game, they shot the ball real well, they rebounded it well, but you have to give our kids credit. They came out and played an outstanding game and our kids came out and made some big plays when it counted."
Most of those big plays came down the stretch, specifically in the final minute that featured two ties and three lead changes. The first lead change went in the way of Canisius as Danielle Sanderlin hit a short jumper to give the road team a 69-68 advantage.
After a Fairfield miss, the Griffs had the ball with the shot clock off, but the Stags came up with another big play.
Rachel Hakes sprinted across the court and was able to swipe the ball from the Griffs, throwing it ahead to
Lou Lopez-Senechal who was fouled on her layup attempt. Lopez-Senechal would cap a perfect night at the foul line as she swished in two key free throws to give the Stags a 70-69 lead.
Canisius answered back with a free throw of their own, setting the stage for Kramer's heroics. Kramer got the ball out of the timeout and drove to the hoop where she was able to scoop through her runner to give the Stags their fourth-straight victory in the conference.
While those plays stick out because they were in the final minute, the Stags came up with big play after big play all game long.
Eden Nibbelink hit two key 3-pointers in the second half, both of which gave the Stags a lead. Nibbelink also pulled down a key rebound and picked up a block in 12 quality minutes off the bench.
Andrea Hernangomez tied her personal best with eight points, the last two also breaking a tie score. Late in the third quarter, Hernangomez skied for an offensive rebound and made the put back to give the Stags a 57-55 lead heading into the final quarter.
In total, there were seven ties and six lead changes, but the Stags would trail for only 1:34 in the game.
Four Stags finished with double figures led by Lopez-Senechal's 19.
Katie Armstrong added 14 and tied for the team lead with seven rebounds.
Callie Cavanaugh chipped in 12 on 6-for-12 shooting and Kramer added 13 with five assists. Hakes led the passing game with six helpers.
The Stags will now head to Iona for the only game in their short road trip when they visit the Gaels on Saturday at 1pm. The Stags will be looking for their first 5-0 start in conference play since the 2000-01 season, which also happens to be their last NCAA Tournament appearance.
