Last year, Fairfield University’s women’s basketball team rose toward the top of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with a 20-9 record overall and 11-7 in the conference. But the Stags, while playing Marist and Iona tough and close, could not beat the top two teams in the MAAC.
That trend continued Sunday afternoon at the Arena at Harbor Yard as the Stags struggled in a 62-44 loss at the hands of the Gaels. The loss drops Fairfield to 4-4 overall and 1-1 in the MAAC.
The Stags were able to keep the game close for the first few minutes, but by midway through the first half, Fairfield was down by 10.
‘We came out extremely flat today and that was one of the things we talked about,’ said head coach Joe Frager.
Fairfield struggled to contain Iona’s two forwards who combined for 34 points.
Sophomore Anda Ivkovic had 17 points in the first half as the Gaels raced to the lead.
‘We have to bounce back and get ready,’ said senior Baendu Lowenthal. ‘Today we just didn’t come with enough energy.’
Fairfield, down by 13 at the half, hung in the second period, but by then, the game was out of hand.
‘To our credit, our subs played with energy and pride,’ said Frager. ‘I don’t think we ever quit.’
Junior Lauren Tucker scored seven points while freshman Taryn Johnson had six points and three blocks off the bench.
Conference play opened over the weekend as Fairfield knocked off St. Peter’s on the road in a defensive 46-38 win. The Stags were picked to finish second in the conference in the preseason coaches’ poll.
‘Preseason polls don’t mean anything,’ said Frager. ‘They are the most meaningless things in sports.’
Fairfield shot only 25.9 percent in the first half and 31 percent for the game while allowing Iona to score on 40 percent of its baskets.
‘This is the first time I can say I wasn’t happy with our effort and our energy level this year,’ said Frager. ‘Every day in practice, every game we’ve had so far, this team has given me everything they had. And I fully anticipate after they will do that each and every day.’
Stephanie Geehan was one bright spot for the Stags with a double-double in rebounds and points with 12 apiece. But she also was not immune to struggles, turning the ball over seven times.
‘I’m still missing some shots I should make,’ said Geehan. ‘But we need to come together and perform better.’
While the Stags’ performance was disappointing, there is still time for the Stags to regroup.
Last season, Fairfield began conference play 0-4 before rebounding to finish tied for second in the conference.
‘I’m very angry right now,’ said Frager. ‘But I still believe in our basketball team.’
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