KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Fairfield University Women's Basketball team dropped a hard fought battle in a 83-61 loss to Florida Gulf Coast in their final game of the MAAC/ASUN Challenge. Four Stags reached double figures in the setback, including Andrea Hernangomez recording her first double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
 
The Stags were the team to get off to a fast start as they shot 60 percent in the first quarter and jumping out to a 13-3 lead with Lou Lopez-Senechal scoring six points during a 10-0 run. Fairfield would keep a lead against a team that received multiple votes in the latest NCAA Top-25 rankings, for the rest of the quarter and took a 19-12 lead after a Sydney Lowery jumper.
 
Florida Gulf Coast would grab the lead four times in the second quarter but the Stags would respond each time. Sam Lewis and Syndey Lowery would each respond with a 3-pointer and Hernangomez would tie up the score with a layup. She would knot the score again at 33-33 with two free throws before Kaela Webb connected on a 3-pointer in the final minute to give the Eagles a 36-33 halftime lead.
 
Callie Cavanaugh would record the first bucket of the second half to get the Stags back within one before Florida Gulf Coast found their rhythm. The Eagles would score 30 points in the third quarter and extend their lead over the Stags despite eight-straight points by Cavanaugh.
 
Four Stags would reach double figures against the Eagles with Hernangomez notching 11 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. The senior averaged 15 rebounds in the two games during the MAAC/ASUN Challenge.
 
Lopez-Senechal led the Stags with 15 points with Cavanaugh following her with 14 and Lowery finishing with 12. Rcahel Hakes led the team with six assists and Janelle Brown helped the defensive charge with two blocked shots.
 
The Stags will close out their season long four game road swing as they visit Navy on Tuesday at 6pm.