FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University Women's Basketball team uncharacteristically struggled taking care of the basketball recording 19 turnovers leading to a 59-52 defeat to Iona on Saturday's Play 4 Kay contest. The Stags trailed for nearly the entire final 25 minutes of the game after Iona broke a deadlock in the second quarter with one of their 12 made 3-pointers on the afternoon.
The Stags led by as many as six in that second quarter after
Katie Armstrong swished through a 3-pointer to give Fairfield a 20-14 advantage. The Gaels would answer with a 14-4 run, hitting four 3-pointers during that five minute span. Iona was on fire from behind the arc in the second quarter, connecting on six of their seven 3-point attempts.
In total, Iona went 12-for-23 from behind the 3-point line, despite the Stags entering the game as one of the conference's best perimeter defensive teams.
The Stags would fight back to grab a quick lead as
Sam Kramer's two free throws capped an 8-0 run for the Stags. Armstrong and
Callie Cavanaugh both added to that stretch with 3-point plays and Fairfield would lead 36-35, their final lead of the game.
Fairfield would not hit another field goal for the final 6:31 of the quarter, but only trailed Iona by three at 41-38 heading into the final quarter.
The Gaels would stretch their thin lead to double digits with an 11-3 run midway through the quarter and the Stags could not respond by going 0-for-7 from 3-point range in the final quarter.
Three Stags finished in double figures with Armstrong and Cavanaugh tying for the team lead with 13 points. Cavanaugh recorded her first double-double with the Stags as she also posted 10 rebounds, eight of those coming on the offensive glass.
Despite the setback, Armstrong continued her hot shooting with a 4-for-8 showing from the field and 2-for-3 from long range. In her last four games, Armstrong is shooting 59 percent (13-for-22) from deep.
Fairfield entered play leading the MAAC in fewest turnovers, a number that was 13th in the country but committed 19 turnovers on just eight assists.
The Stags will try and bounce back when they hit the road again to visit Saint Peter's on Tuesday at 7pm.
