LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – The Fairfield University Women's Basketball team used a complete team effort to complete the road sweep of the Rider Broncs with a 66-45 final score. Three Stags finished in double figures as Fairfield improved to 4-0 in the MAAC for the second-straight season.
"I'm pleased with the win today," Head Coach
Joe Frager said. "We went over a few things on film and talked about making a few changes on the defensive end in our walk though at the hotel room and the team did a good job with that. They also did a good job rebounding which was a problem for us yesterday."
Lou Lopez-Senechal led the Stags for the second-straight game as she finished with a game-high 15 points.
Rachel Hakes had another well-rounded game with 14 points, five assists and no turnovers.
Andrea Hernangomez rounded out the trio with a season-high 13.
Hernangomez, once again proved to be a sparkplug off the bench in the first half, hitting all four of her field goals in the second quarter and netting nine points. She scored all those nine points in the first five minutes of the quarter, helping extend Fairfield's lead to 24-18 after that stretch.
Her success helped the Stags maintain a comfortable lead despite only nine first half minutes from their leading scorer in Lopez-Senechal. After picking up her first foul late in the first quarter, the Stags rode the hot hand of Hernangomez to take a 29-18 lead into the half.
Lopez-Senechal would return to the game in the second half and made her presence felt in the third quarter by netting nine points and hitting two long range shots. Her second made 3-pointer gave the Stags their largest lead of the game to that point at 15 points.
The Stags would grab an even greater advantage by scoring the first eight points of the fourth quarter and 14 of the first 16. Hakes was the leader of the offense during that stretch with six points.
Hakes also controlled a very disciplined and clinical offensive attack for the Stags, who recorded just six turnovers in the win and the Broncs were unable to take advantage of any of those few opportunities. Rider did not record a point off a Fairfield turnover.
"We need some of these team wins," Coach Frager said. "The more games you win together the more success you have and success breeds confidence. When we have players off the bench finding success that's something you can build on"
Katie Armstrong finished the game with a team-high seven rebounds to combine with her nine points.
Sam Lewis also neared a double digit afternoon netting nine points on 3-for-5 shooting from behind the arc.
The 4-0 start in MAAC play is the second-straight season the Stags have accomplished that feat. The Stags have also won their first five road games of the season for the first time in their Division I era.
The Stags will return home for the first time in over a month when they welcome the Saint Peter's Peacocks for a two game series starting Friday at 7pm.
