NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Fairfield University Women's Basketball team clamped down defensively when they needed to the most, not allowing an Iona field goal for the final five minutes of the game in a fourth quarter rally that gave the Stags a 63-56 victory.
 
"I'm extremely happy with this win," Head Coach Joe Frager said. "It's not an easy place to play and Iona is a good defensive team. We had to respond with a strong run down the stretch and we did."
 
An 8-0 Iona run preceded the late Stag (8-4, 7-3 MAAC) defensive stand as the Gaels' run gave the home side a 53-50 advantage, their first lead since the first quarter. That's when the Fairfield defense clamped down, as the Stags forced two missed shots and two Iona turnovers during the crucial last five minutes.
 
Those defensive stops allowed the Stags to regain the lead after scoring the next seven points and ending the game on a 13-3 run. Lou Lopez-Senechal would give the Stags the lead as she connected on a jumper seconds after checking back into the game to give the Stags a 54-53 advantage. Janelle Brown would follow with two of the biggest shots of the game, a 3-pointer to extend the lead to four and a wide open layup on an out of bounds play in the final minute.
 
The late run was similar to Fairfield's first run of the game after finding themselves down 11-2 just 3:19 into the game. The Stags would respond with a 15-0 run over the next five minutes, and would hold that lead until the final quarter.
 
In her second-straight start, Andrea Hernangomez was the focal point of the early 15-0 run, netting eight points during the stretch including back-to-back 3-pointers to cap off the run.
 
The Stags would hit four 3-pointers in the first quarter and six in the first half. Eden Nibbelink would add a pair of long range shots, including Fairfield's final of the first half which gave them their largest lead at nine points.
 
Fairfield was balanced in the victory, with eight different student-athletes getting into the scoring column and three in double figures. Six different players also connected on at least one 3-pointer, with Hernangomez leading the shooting barrage with a career-high three makes. The MAAC leader in 3-point percentage, Sam Lewis, went 2-for-3 behind the arc with back-to-back makes in the third quarter.
 
As a team, the Stags would shoot 10-for-22 from behind the 3-point line.
 
The Stags were also balanced passing the ball with six different Stags dishing out at least two assists. Rachel Hakes led the squad with four helpers while Lopez-Senechal, Brown, and Hernangomez (tying her career-high) each added three assists.
 
Fairfield will be back home for the final four scheduled contests of the season, starting with a two game series against Monmouth on Saturday at noon.