The Fairfield University women's basketball team saw a furious second-half rally fall short, dropping a 66-59 decision at Mount St. Mary's on Wednesday night.  The loss drops the Stags to 4-5 on the year while the Mountaineers improve to 4-4.

Fairfield trailed 35-22 at the intermission but came out with great intensity in the second half and closed to within a basket several times, but could not get over the top.  Baendu Lowenthal scored 19 of her game-high 23 points in the second half, including the first 10 points for the team in just over the first four minutes of action.

Tara Flaherty provided the Stags 18 minutes off of the bench and was the only other player to score in double-figures, with 12.  She had six points in each half, shooting 5-8 for the game, and going 2-2 at the free throw line.  She also added five boards a block and a steal.

The Stags committed 11 turnovers in the first-half, while dishing out only three assists.  In the second half, Fairfield had seven assists, while also committing seven more turnovers, finishing with 10 assists and 18 turnovers.

Fairfield shot 34.6 percent from the field in the first-half, 9-26, and hit 56.5 percent, 13-23, in the second half, finishing at 44.9 percent of the game.  The Mount shot 56.5 percent for the game, hitting 26-46 for the game.  The Stags were 14-18 from the line in the contest, while The Mount went 10-14 at the stripe.  The Mount committed 20 turnovers, 13 in the second half, while dishing out 12 assists.

Fairfield had 10 steals for the second time in as many games.  The Mount finished with seven steals.

Megan Caskin finished with a season-high eight points, shooting 4-5 from the field for the game, to go along with four assists and four rebounds.  Stephanie Geehan had five points and eight rebounds, with a blocked shot in the game.  Desiree Pina had two points, four steals, two rebounds and two assists.

The Stags will not play again until Sunday, Dec. 21 when they travel to Maine for a 3:30 p.m. contest.