After three straight games scoring in single digits, it was only a matter of time before Meghan Andersen found her offensive rhythm again. Unfortunately for the visiting Marist Red Foxes, she did a lot more than that.
The preseason Conference Player of the Year made her first 10 shots from the field en route to a career-high 40 points to power Fairfield women’s basketball to an historic 109-48 win on Thursday night.
“It’s what Meg does,” said head coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis. “I don’t ever overreact when she doesn’t play her best because she’s consistent, she works on her game. I thought today the ball moved better, so as a team we got more open looks, and she knocked them down with confidence.”
The deluge began early and often for Andersen, who connected on a layup and a three, both assisted by graduate road runner Lauren Beach, in the first two minutes of the game. By halftime, she had already poured in 27 points with just two missed shots as the Stags built a massive 60-22 lead.
She finished the night shooting 15-20 from the floor, including 8-10 from deep, and also grabbed eight rebounds.
“I had a ton of confidence today, and I really think it stems from this team,” Andersen said. “We’ve been in the gym a lot, just working on our ball movement and our offense, and I think this game really showed how much work we’ve put into it and how far we’ve come.”
The Stags’ performance makes it hard to argue. Beyond Andersen’s individual brilliance, seven other players contributed at least one made three-pointer to a final tally of 19, tying their second best mark of the season.
The team’s 36 first quarter points are their most in a frame this year, and the finishing mark of 109 set a new program record. It was a comprehensive showing more in line with what the Stags expect from themselves after a three game stretch where they failed to eclipse 60.
“We’ve talked about the loss against Quinnipiac, how it’s a pivotal moment where we could go up or we can go down,” Andersen said. “We’ve really been focusing on taking the upward path, and I think this game shows how much we want it and how much we’re willing to put in to get to where we want to be.”
The game was also another stifling performance on the defensive end for a Stags squad that has surrendered over 60 points just three times since the start of conference play. The Red Foxes were limited to just 33 percent shooting from the field and 28 percent from three.
“I think we have a little bit better defensive chemistry, with obviously more reps together,” Thibault-DuDonis said of the team’s improvement over the course of the season. “I think our off ball engagement and discipline has become much more reliable, so when actions are happening off the ball, we are doing a great job of anticipating and being disruptive away from the ball as much as we are on the ball.”
Both sides of the floor combined for what was without a doubt the most complete performance of the year for the Stags, who are looking to finish strong and potentially reclaim first place in the conference after a return trip to Quinnipiac next weekend.
First, the Stags are back in action at home this Saturday afternoon for a matchup with Iona. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.
