The Joe Frager era began in a big way on Wednesday night as the Fairfield University women's basketball team defeated host University of Richmond 72-57 (box score) at the Robins Center in Richmond, Va.  Frager becomes the third coach in program history to win his first game at the helm of the Stags.

Baendu Lowenthal highlighted an all-around team effort throughout the game, as she equaled her career-high with 20 first half points. She hit her first eight field goals of the game, and finished the contest with a career-high 10 field goals and 28 points.  She also had seven rebounds, three steals and two assists

Fairfield started quickly in their season opener, scoring on a Stephanie Geehan jumper just 46 seconds into play.  The Spiders tied the game at 17:54 to which the Stags answered with a 13-4 run, to take a 15-6 lead with 13:59 left in the half.  The Stags took their first double-digit lead, 21-20, on a Lowenthal hoop with 11:48 to play, and never looked back.  Fairfield took a 43-23 lead into the intermission as Geehan hit a pair of free throws with 21 seconds left in the half.

Sabra Wrice gave the Stags offense a boost in the second half, as she scored 15 of her 20 points in just 14 minutes of second half action.  She was 8-15 from the field, knocking down four three-pointers in the victory.

Richmond opened the second half by scoring the first five points and cutting the Stags lead to only 14, 43-29, 72 seconds into the half.  Wrice took over from there however, with a steal at 17:10 and a fast break layup.  She drained a three-pointer at 15:44 and a second at 14:35 to push the advantage back to 22, 51-29.  The largest lead of the game came 26 seconds later as Shireyll Moore hit a free throw after getting fouled on a made lay-up, for a 23-point advantage, 54-31.  Richmond would get within 13 twice in the final eight minutes of play, but would never challenge.

Fairfield dished out 16 assists on 27 made field goals in the game.  They shot 54 percent from the field, hitting 27-50, including 7-13 from behind the arc.  The Stags were also good on 11-16 at the free throw line, and recorded five steals. 

Eight Stags scored in the victory.  Geehan and Meka Werts both had six points, while Moore and Stephanie Cziria added three each.  Geehan led all players with nine rebounds.

Megan Caskin had four points in the game, to go along with eight rebounds and five assists, in 35 minutes of action.   Cziria added three assists, while Werts and Lauren Groom each had two for Fairfield.

Richmond shot 43.9 percent from the floor, 25-57, and was led by rookie Brittani Shells who finished with 27 points.  Christina Campion had a team-high seven boards.  The Spiders had eight assists and nine turnovers.  Fairfield committed 16 turnovers in the contest.

The opening day win snaps a six-season losing streak in openers, with the last win coming on Nov. 17, 2000, 63-58 over Holy Cross.  Frager becomes the third Fairfield women's coach to win his first game at the helm, joining Gary Dittrich (1974) and Charlie Moss (1977) and Frager is the third women's coach in program history to win his first game at the helm.

The Stags are back in action when Frager makes his home debut on Sunday, Nov. 18, at the Arena at Harbor Yard against Sacred Heart at 4:30 p.m.