Record Breaker

The women’s basketball team enjoyed a record night from junior guard Sabra Wrice in their win over Siena, 74-57.

Wrice came into the game needing 19 points for 1,000 for her career. She started off on fire, and seemed to hit everything from long-range three pointers to baskets in the lane. She was 7 of 11 at the half, and already had her 19 points, making her the 21st player in Fairfield women’s basketball history to achieve that milestone.

“I just hit my first shot, then I hit my second one, after the third or fourth one I was just like I have no idea what’s going on, but I’m going to keep shooting,” said Wrice.

However, she wasn’t done.

Carrying the Stags again in the second half, she was fouled with 38 seconds left and nailed both free throws, giving her 36 points for the game, a school record.

Wrice had no idea until the game was over that she was in the midst of a record night.

“I had no idea. I didn’t even know what the record was. We just wanted to win, that was the only thing on my mind.”

Fairfield almost did not even accomplish that, as the game was in doubt for most of the game.

Siena led at halftime by two, 34-32, as the Stags struggled to contain the Saints defensively.

The Saints shot 45.2 percent in the first half on their way to taking the lead.

“I think we were allowing them dribbling penetration in the middle,” said Head Coach Dianne Nolan.

“Once we understood to deny and keep it to the corners instead of the middle, we were able to get some steals, and once we get some steals and the kids are running, they kind of break your back.”

Fairfield did just that in the second half as they broke the game open off some steals by Meka Werts ’08 and Wrice’s hot shooting.

Werts finished with five steals and ten points.

Sophomore Baendu Lowenthal was also a solid contributor, falling one rebound short of her seventh double-double of the year. She scored 15 points while pulling down nine rebounds.

The game was also the final home game for the class of 2007, who were honored before the game with a special ceremony.

Cara Murphy ’07 reflected on her time at Fairfield.

“Just our whole team, we’re like a family here, and I’m really going to miss the girls and the coaches. We do everything together and that’s going to be a big part of my life missing,” she said.

The win improves the Stags to 14-13 overall and 10-6 in the MAAC.

Murphy also realized that a win in her final home game was important for the Stags to gain some momentum heading down the final stretch of the season.

“I think it’s very important and make us that much more confidant. We always come in with a lot more energy in the MAAC tournament; I mean that’s our goal for the entire season. If we can get that winning season beforehand, I think we can really feed off that in the MAAC,” she said.