The Fairfield University women’s basketball (game notes) team begins its final home stand of the 2007-08 season hosting Manhattan at the Arena at Harbor Yard.  The Stags, coming off of an 87-78 triple overtime loss at Iona on Friday night are 16-7 overall and 6-6 in league play, in fifth place.  The Jaspers fell 62-61 to Loyola on Friday night, and enter the game at 13-10 on the year and 8-4 in MAAC action.

Fairfield and Manhattan are meeting for the first time this season, in the Stags 13th conference game, and for the 65th time in the series history.  The Stags hold a 33-31 advantage all-time, despite having lost 10 of the last 13 meetings.  Fairfield captured the last meeting of the two teams, a 59-49 win over the Jaspers in Riverdale, N.Y.  Manhattan had won the previous three meetings to that.  The Stags won the first meeting, in 1976-77, before Manhattan rattled off wins in the next eight meetings. Since moving to the Division I level Fairfield is 16-6 at home, but are just 1-4 at the Arena at Harbor Yard.  The Stags last home win over Manhattan came on Dec. 4, 2003, 80-63.

The Stags final two home games will both be televised live.  Fairfield will host Siena on Saturday, Feb. 16, at noon, a game which will be shown on Cablevision.  The home finale for Fairfield is Monday, Feb. 18 versus Saint Peter’s at 5 p.m. , and will air on MAAC TV.  Preceding that contest the Stags senior class Stephanie Cziria, Meka Werts and Sabra Wrice will be honored.    

The February 16 game will be the Stags ‘Think Pink’ game.  Fans that wear pink to the game will receive a gift, while those that make a contribution to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund will receive a complimentary ticket to the Feb. 18 double-header.  In addition fans will be able to participate in raffles and auctions for gear from Fairfield, the MAAC, and ESPN, as well as admissions to Stags summer sports camps.

The Stags close the season with three road games, at Manhattan on Feb. 22, at Siena on Feb. 24 and at Loyola on March 1, before the MAAC Tournament begins, March 6-9 at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y