Women’s Basketball: Fairfield Stags at Iona Gaels

Site: Hynes Athletic Center, New Rochelle, N.Y.
Time: Friday Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m.

FAIRFIELD (8-9, 4-2 MAAC)

Lauren Groom, G, 5-11, So., 4.5 ppg, 0.8 apg – Last game marked 3rd consecutive start

Megan Caskin, G, 5-8, So., 3.5 ppg, 3.2 apg – 7th in MAAC in assists per game

Sabra Wrice, G, 5-8, Jr., 14.1 ppg, 2.4 apg – Team-high 19 points Sunday vs. Saint Peter’s

Stephanie Geehan, F, 6-0, Fr., 5.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg – 18 blocks this season

Baendu Lowenthal, F, 6-0, So., 10.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg – 18 points, 5 rebounds vs. Saint Peter’s

IONA GAELS (11-6, 6-0 MAAC)

Lauren DeFalco, G, 5-6, Jr., 10.6 ppg, 87 assists – 25 steals on the year

Toni Horvath, G, 5-5, Sr., 8.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg – Second on all-time assists list for Iona

Tiara Headen, G, 5-9, Jr., 12.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg assists – Team-leading .390 from behind the arc

Regan Pettijohn, C, 6-1, Sr., 9.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg – Notched 10 points on Sunday against Manhattan

Martina Weber, F, 6-5, Sr., 7.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg – 22 points, 14 rebounds vs. Manhattan

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

GAEL-FORCE WINDS: Iona is making waves this season, as it is a program best 6-0 in the MAAC. The Gaels’ current five-game winning streak is also a team record. Despite the fact that Iona has only one player in double figures on offense, it consistently finds ways to score. The Gaels have notched 60 points or more in five of their six conference wins. Look for how a thriving Iona offense copes with a suffocating Fairfield defense.

BATTLE OF THE BOARDS: Fairfield and Iona are both strong rebounding teams. In MAAC play, the Stags are slightly ahead of the Gaels on rebounding offense. Whoever can execute off the boards may very well come out on top this Friday. Given the fact that Iona is holding opponents to just under 60 points a game, finishing down low will be key to a Fairfield victory.

-Frank Romano