Women’s Basketball: Fairfield Stags vs. Niagara Purple Eagles

Site: The Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, Conn.
Time: Friday, 4:30 p.m.

FAIRFIELD (9-10, 5-3 MAAC)

Lauren Groom, G, So., 5-11, 4.4 ppg, 0.7 apg – 8 points, 4 rebounds vs. Rider on Sunday

Megan Caskin, G, So., 5-8, 3.4 ppg, 3.2 apg – 6th in MAAC in apg

Sabra Wrice, G, 5-8, Jr.14.2 ppg, 2.4 apg – Notched double figures on offense in last three games

Stephanie Geehan, F, Fr., 6-0, 5.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg – 15 points, 7 boards against Rider

Baendu Lowenthal, F, 6-0, So., 10.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg – Shooting 46.3 percent from field

NIAGARA (11-8, 3-5 MAAC)

Michelle Manfredi, G, 5-10, Jr., 8.0 ppg, 3.2 apg – 10 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists on Monday against Canisius

Shaunna Ambrose, G, 5-10, Sr., 16.6 ppg, 1.9 apg – Team’s leading scorer in 4 of last 5 contests

Cathy Rutter, G, 5-7, Jr., 2.6 ppg, 1.3 rpg – 4 points, 1 rebound against Canisius

Chantelle Wilson, G, 5-9, Sr., 8.8 ppg, 1.2 apg – 20 steals on the year

Sara Prybyl, F, 5-11, Jr., 6.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg – 5 points, 1 assist, 1 board vs. Canisius

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

NIAGARA BLUES: Despite winning their last game against Canisius, the Purple Eagles sit in a three-way tie for fifth place in the MAAC. Since losing to Fairfield earlier in the season, Niagara also lost to Saint Peter’s and Loyola — both teams Fairfield beat in that same time span. Look for the Purple Eagles to continue fighting, and look for Fairfield to step up to the challenge.

KEEPING THE MOMENTUM ALIVE: Fairfield must enter Friday’s game looking to build off last Sunday’s win against Rider. While Niagara is in the lower half of the MAAC seedings with only three conference wins, Fairfield cannot afford to let up on the pressure, both offensive and defensive. The Stags know that a win will put them in great shape going against # 2-seeded Loyola this Sunday.

-Frank Romano