ATLANTIC CITY, N.Y. – The top-seeded Fairfield University Women's Basketball's journey for a title defense is one step closer as the Stags will compete in the MAAC Semifinals against fifth-seeded Mount St. Mary's on Friday at 12pm with a spot in the conference's Championship Game on the line. This will be the first time these two teams meet in the MAAC Championships.
 
The Stags (26-4) are coming off a nail-biting victory over eighth-seeded Manhattan 58-51 in the Quarterfinal round. Fairfield expanded a slim one-point lead by amassing a 7-0 run over the last two minutes to hold off the upset. All-MAAC First Teamer Meghan Andersen netted four of those crucial points down the stretch on a pair of fadeaway jumpers. Kaety L'Amoreaux iced the game with four-straight free throws.
 
Graduate student Road Runner Raiana Brown grabbed six key rebounds in the second half as she led the Stags with nine rebounds in the contest.
 
Sophomore Jillian Huerter had her best offensive game as a Stag with a season-high 14 points to lead the team including back-to-back 3-pointers to build a double-digit first quarter lead.
 
Manhattan went on a 15-0 run and held the Stags scoreless for nearly eight minutes to grab a six-point lead. The Stags would answer with a 14-0 spurt of their own with two key 3-pointers by Sydni Scott.
 
With the victory, the Stags advanced to the MAAC Semifinals for the 25th time in program history and will be looking for a spot in the Finals for the 13th time. It is also the fourth time in the last five seasons the Stags have been a part of the MAAC Final Four.
 
With a win, the Stags will play for the MAAC title against the winner of No. 2 Quinnipiac and No. 6 Merrimack.