The mark of a great team is often having the ability to win in a multitude of ways.
That quality was on display again Thursday night for Fairfield women’s basketball, who turned in its best defensive performance of the season to overcome early shooting woes and knock off Saint Peter’s 62-30.
“On a night where our shots weren’t falling and we missed some easy layups in the paint, it was nice that we were still getting stops and turning them over,” said head coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis after the game. “When we’re really really good, both sides are working together, but I thought we really did rely on our defense tonight.”
The final tally of 30 points on just 29 percent shooting for the Peacocks is the fewest the Stags have surrendered in a game all year. Their defense also forced 28 Peacock turnovers, tying their season-best.
Much of that dominance was needed early, as the Stags themselves shot just 30 percent as a team in the first half. Still, they maintained a 14-point edge heading into halftime, and after another slow quarter in the third, the offense finally came alive to put the game on ice in the final frame.
The duo of sophomore road runner Cyanne Coe and senior guard Sydni Scott combined for all 20 of the Stags’ points in the fourth on a perfect 8-8 from the field. For Coe, who has seen an increasingly prominent role in the offense as the year has gone on, it was the fifth time in the last eight contests she has finished in double figures.
“She is someone that can be so dominant in the paint,” Thibault-DuDonis said of Coe. “When we have so many shooters around her, people are worried about doubling and bringing extra help, so her being that force in the paint really balances our offense. She’s been so consistent in practice and really focused, and I think that has translated to how she’s played in the games.”
The Stags had four players score over 10 points in what ended up being a well-balanced offensive performance. Junior road runner Meghan Andersen led the way with 15, followed by junior guard Kaety L’Amoreaux with 13 and Coe and Scott at 12 apiece.
The penultimate home game of the season, Thursday night’s contest also served as Pride Night for the Stags, one of several annual celebrations the team hosts in support of different campus and community groups. The proceeds from Pride Night t-shirts sold at the arena will go directly to Fairfield University’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance.
“We just really want this program to be a place where people can come as they are and be themselves,” Thibault-DuDonis said. “We talk a lot about authenticity, and being able to be your most authentic self allows you to thrive in anything you do in life. It’s great to be connected with our community, both our student body and our greater community, and for people to feel like this is a space for them to be who they are.”
Next up, the Stags will make their final road trip of the season to Loudonville, N.Y. to take on Siena on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m., and fans can watch the game on ESPN+.
