The Fairfield University women’s basketball team defeated the University of Bridgeport 80-35 in an exhibition game Friday night at the Arena at Harbor Yard.

The game was tied 6-6 3:12 into the game when the Stags went on a 12-0 run over a 3:32 span to open a commanding 18-6 advantage.  Bridgeport would not get closer than nine points the rest of the way, as the Stags opened a 30-point advantage, 49-14, with 1:21 left in the first half.  Fairfield held a 49-24 lead at the break.  The second half featured the Stags defense, as they allowed just 11 points to be scored by the Purple Knights.

Sabra Wrice got off to a strong start, scoring a game-high 25 points, shooting 10-15.  She was 8-10 from the floor in the first half, for 21 points.  Also in double figures were Baendu Lowethal and Stephanie Cziria.  Lowenthal tallied 13 points, on 5-7 shootings, while Cziria had 10 points on 5-6 shooting.

The Stags shot 53.1 percent from the floor for the game, going 34-64.  From behind the arc the Stags hit 5-16, 31.3 percent, and they were good on 70 percent, 7-10 from the free throw line.  Fairfield held a 46-24 advantage on the boards, with a 15-8 edge on the offensive glass.

Stephanie Geehan led all players with 13 rebounds, including eight on the offensive glass, to go along with five blocked shots, four points and three steals.  Lowenthal also had three steals in the game for the Stags, who finished with 16.  Megan Caskin had seven points, four rebounds and four assists.

Fairfield committed 22 turnovers in the game, while forcing 32 from Bridgeport.  The Stags had 17 assists in the game.

Siobhan Moore led the Purple Knights with nine points.

The season gets under way for real for the Stags in 12 days, when they travel to Virginia for a Nov. 14 contest at Richmond.  The Joe Frager era tips-off at home on Nov. 18 with a 4:30 p.m. game against Sacred Heart at the Arena at Harbor Yard.