The Fairfield University women's basketball team defeated Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) foe Niagara University 50-44 at Alumni Hall.  With the win the Stags improve to 15-6 overall and 5-5 in the league, while the Purple Eagles fall to 5-16 on the year and 3-7 in conference action.

The Stags used a gritty second half defensive effort and committed just two second half turnovers to rally from an eight-point halftime deficit for the win.  Fairfield committed nine turnovers in the first 11:35 of the game, falling behind 24-12.  From that point forward, Fairfield committed only five turnovers and out scored the visiting Purple Eagles 38-20.

Fairfield took the lead for the first time with 6:52 remaining when Sabra Wrice hit a three-pointer 6:52 to play, for a 42-41 lead.  A free throw from Megan Caskin with 6:00 to play put the Stags ahead two-points, 43-41.  Sarah Wilson knocked down a three-pointer with 4:13 to play in the game, to put Niagara ahead, 44-43, but the Stags defense would not allow another point the remainder of the way.

Shireyll Moore put the Stags ahead for good with 2:55 remaining in the game, making a lay-up and converting the ensuing free throw.  Baendu Lowenthal made a free throw with 54 seconds left and made a lay-up with 27 seconds left to make it 49-44.  Lauren Groom sealed the win with a free throw with 10 seconds remaining.

Lauren Groom made a key defensive stop with 1:24 remaining in the game.  With a pair of Stags on the floor after fighting for an offensive rebound, Groom scrambled back to defend an open Jennifer McNamee, forcing a missed shot, which was rebounded by Wrice.

The Stags had three players score 11 points, game-highs, with Lowenthal, Wrice and Meka Werts reaching the mark.  Caskin finished with a game-high 15 rebounds, seven on the offensive glass, the fourth-best single-game effort in program history.  He added two points, four steals and three assists. 

Fairfield shot 18-70 from the field for the game, 25.7 percent, hitting four three-pointers.  The Stags had a season-high 54 rebounds in the game, with 30 on the offensive board.  Niagara shot 16-43 for the game, 37.2 percent, but only 23.8 percent, 5-21, in the second half.  The Purple Eagles committed 21 turnovers and had 33 rebounds, seven on the offensive side.

Niagara controlled during the early portion of the first half, opening a 14-6 lead.  That lead would expand to 12 points, 24-12, with 8:47 to play in the first half.  At that point the Stags would mount a rally, as they scored 11 of the next 13 points, to close to within three points, 26-23, with 3:19 left in the half.  Niagara held the Stags scoreless the remainder of the half, building a 31-23 halftime advantage.

The Stags opened the second half with a 6-2 run to get back within four points, 33-29, before Niagara's Liz Flooks hit a three-pointer to push the advantage back to seven.  The Stags would trail 38-31 with 15:20 to play, and began another push.  Fairfield scored six unanswered points to get within a point, 38-37 with 12:10 left to play in the game.

Niagara did not have a single player reach double digits in the game, with Wilson and Flooks each scoring eight points.  Michelle Manfredi and a team-high six rebounds

Fairfield completes a three-game home stand on Sunday afternoon when it hosts Canisius at 1 p.m. at Alumni Hall.