BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Even Hollywood couldn't write a better script. On the night the Fairfield University Women's Basketball program honored the career of Head Coach Joe Frager and in his penultimate home game, the squad went out and clinched the first Regular Season Championship in his Fairfield career with a 75-52 victory over Monmouth. The victory also boosted Fairfield's conference record to 16-1, the best in program history.
 
"It goes without saying, being regular season champions is something we talked about for a really long time," Coach Frager said. "It's step one towards what this group wants to achieve. It's a heck of an accomplishment and we as a staff are super proud of them."
 
The win was highlighted by a 32-9 run that spanned 13 minutes and included the final six points of the first half. Three Stags scored in double figures led by Sydney Lowery who netted 18, just two shy of her career-high. Lou Lopez-Senechal followed her with 16 and Sam Lewis chipped in 11 with a game-high three 3-pointers.
 
The Hawks would stay close through the first 15 minutes of the game, cutting the Fairfield lead to just one point on an Antonia Panayides layup. Sam Lewis would answer back with a jumper inside the arc and Mackenzie Martin would follow with a big 3-pointer at the top of the key.
 
The Stags would go into halftime carrying a nine-point lead after Sydney Lowery and Rachel Hakes combined to score the final six points of the half.
 
Fairfield opened up the game in the third quarter, out-scoring the Hawks 26-9 in the period. After Monmouth netted the first bucket of the quarter, Fairfield would respond by scoring five of their next six times down the court. In total, the Stags shot 67 percent in the period (10-for-15) with two of those misses inside the first minute.
 
In total, 10 different players scored for the Stags with Lowery leading the Stags on 6-for-8 shooting. Callie Cavanaugh and Andrea Hernangomez both just missed double figures as they each finished with nine.
 
Rachel Hakes connected on the only shot she attempted in the game and also tied for the team lead with four assists.
 
In a total team effort, nine different players tallied at least a pair of rebounds with no one grabbing more than four despite out-rebounding Monmouth 29-27. Eight different players also recorded an assist as Fairfield dished out 16 assists on just five turnovers. It is the fifth time this season the Stags have had fewer than 10 turnovers.
 
The 16-1 mark currently stands as the best conference winning record in program history, besting the 1990-91 squad mark of 15-1. The 16 conference wins also ties the 2000-01 squad for the most in a season.
 
The victory clinched the fourth MAAC Regular Season Title in program history and the first since the 1999-00 squad. This marks the first time in his 15-year Fairfield career Head Coach Joe Frager will lead the top-seeded Stags into the conference tournament. Frager was honored in a ceremony pregame in his penultimate home game as he announced that he will retire at the end of this season. He currently has amassed 259 wins as a Stag with a .576 winning percentage, the highest in program history.
 
"They really responded," Coach Frager said. "They should be very proud of what they've done. It's not easy, it's a grind and to be able to secure a regular season championship is something they can remember and something they can cherish. We've talked all season long about that being step one. We've just got to sustain and get ready for a real good Manhattan team."
 
The Stags will have three more regular season contests before the MAAC Championships in Atlantic City, N.J. Fairfield will next travel to Manhattan for a Saturday afternoon game at 2pm.