Thursday, December 7, 2006

Women's Basketball Capsule: A preview of the Fairfield vs. Niagara game

This Friday, the Stags square off against conference foe Niagara at 7 pm.

Fairfield has a 3-5 overall record, while the Purple Eagles are 6-2. This Friday’s matchup will be the first conference game for both teams.

So far this season for Niagara, Shaunna Ambrose leads the team and the MAAC with 16.0 points per game. Joining her in double figures is Chantelle Wilson with 10.5.

Sarah Wilson leads the team on the boards with 8.5 rebounds per game.

To win, Fairfield must continue to generate offense. Before Sunday’s game versus North Dakota State, the Stags had been up and down execution-wise, scoring less than 50 points in two of their first three games.

On Sunday, the Stags scored 76 points and won 76-56. This year, Fairfield has won every time it has scored more than 70.

Even when the offense has not always been there, the Stags have played tough defense and rebounded well—especially against teams like Richmond and Villanova.

A key part of this solid defense has been the trio of Meka Werts `08, Tara Flaherty `10 and Stephanie Geehan `10. Werts leads the MAAC with 20 steals over eight games, while the two freshmen each have six or more rebounds per game.

Coming into the game for the Stags, junior Sabra Wrice leads the squad with a team-high 13.3 points per game.

Werts and sophomore Baendu Lowenthal are right behind her with 11.1 apiece.

The Stags will have to fend off Ambrose and a Purple Eagles team that is among the MAAC’s top five in offense.

If Fairfield carries its offensive momentum from last Sunday’s game into Friday’s game, and continues to play strong defense and crash the boards, the Stags will be in good shape.

-Frank Romano

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