Forging Ahead

After the past week’s games, the women’s basketball team has placed itself in good position to contend for a top seed in the competitive MAAC conference. The Stags sit at 9-10 overall, 5-3 MAAC.

Despite a loss to second place Iona (7-1 MAAC) on Friday, the Stags picked up two wins, one over St. Peter’s last weekend, 78-70, and another this past Sunday against Rider, 77-63.

Their recent play has put them in fourth place in the MAAC, only one game behind Loyola who they defeated earlier in Baltimore.

Head Coach Dianne Nolan recognized the importance of gaining one of the top four seeds in the MAAC in order to get a favorable tournament spot.

“Right now we are in a battle for third place with many home games left. That seed will put us in a good spot. I am pleased with the progress of our offense and young team,” said Nolan.

Nolan also recently juggled the starting lineup during their recent stretch of games. Lauren Groom ’09 was inserted along with Stephanie Geehan ’10, replacing Meka Werts ’08 and Tara Flaherty ’10.

“We put the least amount of emphasis on starting. The players care more than the coaches. I felt we needed to get more scoring early,” said Nolan.

She also said that Groom matched up better against some teams, giving Fairfield another forward on the floor.

Groom responded against Rider, scoring eight points while pulling down four rebounds as well.

The frontcourt received a boost from Geehan as well. During the past week, Geehan has averaged 8.3 points per game along with 4.6 rebounds and tough interior defense. She had a breakout game against Rider, scoring a career-high 15 points to go along with seven rebounds and four blocks.

“Steph is terrific,” said Nolan. “She is constant, so smart and rarely makes a mistake.”

Geehan downplayed her success, crediting her smooth adjustment to Division I basketball to her teammates.

“The girls on the team are really supportive and help out,” she said.

Guard Cara Murphy ’07 shared a similar sentiment. A fifth-year senior, whose role has been reduced from last year, scored a season-high 17 points against Rider and passed Megan Light ’02 to move into fourth place all-time on Fairfield’s made threes list.

“It was great. We came out extremely focused. Anything to help the team,” said Murphy.

Based on her previous experience, Murphy felt like this year is one of the closest she has been on.

“There are no cliques. We’re one big happy family,” she said.

Nolan remarked that it has been one of “the most enjoyable” teams she has coached.

That family attitude spills onto the court as well. Ten different players average more than ten minutes per game and different players step up each night.

After averaging 17 points the first two games of the week, sophomore Baendu Lowenthal was limited by fouls against Rider when Murphy and Geehan stepped up.

Junior guard Sabra Wrice was one constant in each game however, as she averaged 16.3 points along with five rebounds.

The Stags share the ball so well that everyone has a chance to score, especially when the Stags push the ball in transition.

“It’s not to our strength to grind it out. We have very athletic, smart players who want to run the ball,” said Nolan.

It may lead to a few more turnovers, but the Stags have averaged 77.5 points in their two wins the past week.

With so many options on the tight-knit team, the Stags have put themselves in a position for success coming down the stretch of MAAC play.

Fairfield returns to play against Niagara on Friday in a nationally televised game on ESPNU. The Stags defeated the Purple Eagles 77-63 earlier in the season.