Halftime Report: MAN 35, FU 34

Fairfield held the lead for much of the first half, however, Manhattan used a late run to take the lead. Fairfield held the lead 34-33 late, but the Jaspers hit a layup with about six seconds left to take the lead and go up by one.

Sabra Wrice has eight points at the half while the rest of the Stags have also contributed as has been the case in most of their games this year. Nine players have scored so far for the Stags. Their offense is shooting 48 percent from the floor, but only 22 percent from behind the arc.

However, the Stags need to buckled down on defense. They are allowing the Lady Jaspers to shoot 53 percent from the floor and 60 percent in three pointers.

Fairfield is also out rebounding Manhattan by six, 17-11. However, the Stags have turned the ball over ten times to the Jasper's eight.

If Fairfield plays to its potential they should come back and pull out their 500th win as a program.

-Chris Simmons

1:55 MAN 31, FU 28

Manhattan has taken the lead. The Lady Jaspers have gone on a 8-0 run.

-Chris Simmons

2:46 FU 28, MAN 26

The Lady Jaspers come right back and hit a three to cut the Stags' lead to two. The Stags have had their chances and they are going to need to start to pull away soon.

-Chris Simmons

3:13 FU 28, MAN 23

Fairfield has stretched their lead to five on two three point plays. Cara Murphy and Shireyll Moore both hit threes to help the Stags keep their lead.

-Chris Simmons

7:27 FU 22, MAN 19

Fairfield should be winning this game by much more, but Manhattan has been able to keep it close with some well timed shots and Fairfield's own sometimes sloppy play.

-Chris Simmons

Practice Update

The women practice again today in preparation for their game tomorrow in Alumni Hall at 7 against Manhattan.

Sabra Wrice '08 and Jill Fiascki '09 were given the day off on Wednesday because both were sick and needed a day off to help recover. Both practiced today.

Head Coach Dianne Nolan explained what the team worked on for tomorrow: "We worked on our system to beat Manhattan. We watched a scout tape, went through their sets, personnel and match ups. We then went through our daily drills of shooting, rebounding and defense. We especially worked on defending inside, rebounding and busting the ball down the floor."

She also remarked that the players had a good practice and were very focused for tomorrow's game. (See Mary Therese's preview of the game below).

-Chris Simmons

A Preview of the Fairfield vs. Manhattan Game

This Friday night, Fairfield takes on MAAC foe Manhattan College at Alumni Hall at 7 p.m.

Fairfield is coming off of a three-game MAAC winning streak after defeating Loyola College last week. This puts the squad in third place in the MAAC, right behind Iona College.

Manhattan currently holds the eighth place mark in the MAAC with a 3-7 record and a 6-15 record overall.

After a big win against Loyola, Fairfield will still be on a winning high and I don’t think the plan is to let that go. With Sabra Wrice getting MAAC basketball honors for the week, the Stags are ready to rumble on home court advantage.

This is the first match up between these teams for the season, so the expectations are high for both. Each wants to prove itself to the other, since neither has established dominance.

Keys to success for the Stags will be Wrice and the duo of Stephanie Geehan and Lauren Groom. Wrice must continue her leadership on the court. New additions Geehan and Groom give the Stags the upper hand in this match up.

On a side note, the Stags are having a non-perishable food donation on Friday. Fans who bring an item will be given a complimentary ticket; the first 500 fans will receive a mouse pad.

-Mary Therese