For just the third time as a varsity program the Fairfield University women's basketball team has opened the season with a 3-0 mark, defeating host Harvard University 64-49 Tuesday night at Lavietes Pavilion.

The Stags allowed a 29-21 halftime lead to evaporate in the first 7:59 of play in the second half, and the Crimson tied the game 37-37 on a Claire Wheeler basket.  Joe Frager took a timeout when the Stags reached the frontcourt, and the game turned back to the favor of Fairfield from that point.

Sabra Wrice dropped in a jumper 22 seconds after the timeout.  Stephanie Geehan stole the ball on Harvard's next possession and fed Stephanie Cziria for a 41-37 lead.  The Stags opened an eight point lead, 47-39 with 9:26 to play, and kept pushing.  The run would get to 19-4, as the Stags took a 56-41 lead with 4:44 to play, and take control of the game.

The 3-0 start is just the third in the history of the program and the first since 1983-84, when the squad opened 7-0. It marks the second 3-0 start for Fairfield at the Division I level, as the other start came in 1974-75, at the Division III level, win the Stags posted a perfect 16-0 record.

Fairfield's defense was the story of the game, forcing 19 turnovers and holding Harvard to 38.9 percent, 21-54, from the field, despite the Crimson (1-2) shooting nearly 56 percent in their first two games.  After the 37-37 tie, with 12:01 to play, the Stags allowed only 12 points to the Crimson, in earning the win.

Geehan recorded the team's first double-double of the season, finishing with 12 points and 12 boards.  She was 4-7 from the field and 4-4 at the line.   The forward also added four steals, two blocks and an assist in 31 minutes of action.

Wrice finished the game as the leading scorer, with 16 points, hitting 7-16 from the field.  Baendu Lowenthal scored 15, shooting 5-8 from the field, to reach double-digits for the third time in three games.  Lowenthal had six boards, a blocked shot and an assist as well.

Megan Caskin knocked down a pair of three-pointers, for the second straight game, finishing with seven points.  She had six assists and just three turnovers, in 38 minutes of play.  Cziria had four points and three assists, while Tara Flaherty added four points, two steals and two rebounds, both on the offensive glass.

The Stags shot 46.2 percent from the field for the game, knocking down 24-52 from the field, including five three pointers.  Fairfield was also good on 11-16 from the free throw line.  Harvard was just 3-14 from behind the arc and 4-12 at the free throw line.

Fairfield did commit a season-high 20 turnovers I the game, but recorded nine steals and blocked four shots.  The team also had 12 assists in the win.

The road trip continues for the Stags as they head to the Cal-Poly Holiday Classic, Friday and Saturday.  Fairfield will take on the host Mustangs on Friday and will play North Dakota State on Saturday.  Both games will tip-off at 5 p.m. eastern time.