The Fairfield University women’s basketball team was tabbed to second in the preseason Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) coaches poll.  Two Stags, senior Sabra Wrice, and junior Baendu Lowenthal were honored with selection to All-MAAC preseason teams.

Wrice was named to preseason First Team after earning First Team All-MAAC accolades as a junior.  She led the team, and was second in the league, with her 15.7 points per game.  Wrice scored a career-high 36 points in the home regular season finale, setting a school, and Arena at Harbor Yard record, in a win over Siena.  She also averaged 4.5 rebounds per game, while dishing out 61 assists and recording 52 steals.

Lowenthal was voted to the preseason second team, the same tem she was named to following her sophomore campaign.  She averaged 11.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game on the year, with six double-doubles, second in the league.  Lowenthal also was among the league’s elite with a .487 shooting percentage from the field.  She enters her junior season with 579 points and is on pace to become the school’s 22nd 1,000 point scorer
 
The Stags, who received 75 points in the poll of the league’s 10 head coaches, trailed only defending champion Marist College, the unanimous choice to repeat.  The Stags opponent in each of its last two MAAC Tournament appearances, Siena College, was selected third, earning 73 points.

First year head coach Joe Frager will lead his charges against the University of Richmond on Nov. 14, in Virginia.  The first home game will be Nov. 18, when the Stags host Sacred Heart at the Arena at Harbor Yard.  Fans can purchase tickets at the Fairfield box office by calling 203-254-4103.  The Stags will also host an exhibition at the Arena, Nov. 2, versus the University of Bridgeport at 6 p.m.