FAIRFIELD, Conn. – For the first time this season, the Fairfield University Women's Basketball team struggled on the offensive side of the floor, tallying just a 28.6 shooting percentage and leading to a season low 38 points in a 56-38 setback against Marist. The loss was the first conference setback for the Stags this season and snaps their five game winning streak that dated back to Dec. 3.
Callie Cavanaugh tallied the first six points for the Stags as Fairfield jumped out to a 6-2 lead in their first home game in six weeks. Unfortunately, that would be the last field goal for the Stags in the first quarter as Marist ended the period on a 7-0 run and held the Stags scoreless for the final six minutes.
The Stags did not get back into the scoring column until the 8:08 mark of the second quarter when
Katie Armstrong swished through a 3-pointer to put the score at 15-9 and end Marist's 13-0 run.
Fairfield would try and claw back at the end of the half, scoring the final six points of the quarter.
Eden Nibbelink entered the game and immediately brought energy from the bench, connecting on a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to just five at 22-17. Nibbelink nearly gave the Stags even more momentum but her 3-point attempt on the next play rimmed out and Marist held on to a 22-17 advantage at halftime.
The Stags would get within four points after a Cavanaugh free throw and later trimmed the score to five on another Armstrong 3-pointer at the 5:24 mark. The Red Foxes would respond with back-to-back 3-pointers by Allie Best and Trinasia Kennedy to expand the gap. Marist would finish the third quarter on a buzzer beating layup by Julianna Bonilla and wove that momentum into the final quarter.
Fairfield had just one player reach double figures with Armstrong putting in 13 points on 5-for-12 shooting from the floor and 2-for-4 from long range.
Lou Lopez-Senechal chipped in nine but struggled shooting with a 3-for-16 clip. Cavanaugh followed them with eight points.
Rachel Hakes led the Stags in both rebounding (seven) and assists (five).
The Stags, who played in their first game in 13 days, will go toe-to-toe with Marist again tomorrow night at 7pm.
