ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – The 25th ranked, and top-seed in the MAAC Tournament, Fairfield University Women's Basketball team will continue their quest for the MAAC Championship trophy when they take on eighth-seeded Rider in the Quarterfinal round on Wednesday at 1pm. The Stags will bring a 28-1 overall record into the contest and a 26-game winning streak which is one victory shy of tying the conference's all-time record set by Marist in 2011.
 
The nationally-ranked Stags were well-represented in the conference's yearly awards as they claimed three major awards and had four players selected to All-MAAC squads. Senior guard Janelle Brown earned the MAAC Player of the Year award, 11-time MAAC Rookie of the Week, Meghan Andersen was officially tabbed the MAAC Rookie of the Year, and the leader of the helm Head Coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis was unanimously chosen as the MAAC Coach of the Year. Brown and Andersen earned spots on the All-MAAC First Team while Emina Selimovic was chosen to the All-MAAC Third Team. Andersen was also a part of the MAAC All-Rookie Team, joining her classmate Kaety L'Amoreaux.
 
The Stags historical season has been realized on both sides of the ball as the squad leads the conference in both scoring offense (73.5) and scoring defense (53.6).
 
A major reason for the Stags' up-tempo offense has been their ability to shoot the ball as they enter the game with 259 made 3-pointers, the seventh most by any school in conference history. Their 8.9 long-range shots per game also ranks 12th in the nation. They also lead the MAAC in: field goal percentage (.475), assists (17.7), and assist-turnover ratio (1.05).
 
On the defensive side of the ball, the Stags not only statistically rank as the top defensive team in the conference but also one of the best in the country. They are fifth in scoring defense and 12th in opponent field goal percentage at .356, the lowest in program history. Fairfield has held 12 opponents under 50 points while limiting 11 foes to shoot under 30 percent.
 
The #25 Stags clinched the program's fifth MAAC Regular Season Championship, and their second in the last three seasons. Fairfield became just the second MAAC team ever to record a 20-0 conference slate and the eighth to go unbeaten in the conference's regular season.
 
The Stags will be looking for their fifth MAAC Championship in program history and their sixth NCAA Tournament appearance.
 
Rider earned a chance to play in the MAAC Quarterfinals after a 66-56 victory over ninth-seeded Iona on Tuesday. Taylor Langan is the team's leading scorer at 13.8 points per game and leading rebounder at 8.2.
 
The winner of the contest will earn the right to play in the MAAC Semifinals on Friday at 11am.