Feb. 16, 2008

Final Stats

Bridgeport, Conn. - Senior tri-captain Laura Menty netted a career high 31 points but it was not enough as Fairfield rallied past Siena, 60-57 this afternoon at the Arena at Harbor Yard. Menty shot an unbelievable 10-for-12 from the floor while also making 11 of her 12 free throw attempts. It was the eighth time in the last nine meetings between these two programs that the game was decided by five points or less. The loss snapped Siena's (9-15, 5-9) modest two game win streak.

Both teams used large runs in a seesaw battle in the first half. The Saints stormed out of the gates with a 10-4 run to open play, led by eight quick points from Heather Stec. Fairfield (18-7, 8-6) answered back with a 7-0 run to take an 11-10 lead at the 13:17 mark.

After Siena responded with an 8-0 run of their own, the Stags eventually came back to tie the game at 20-20 with 4:20 remaining. At halftime, the Saints harbored a 28-25 advantage in an exciting stanza that featured five ties and six lead changes. Menty paced the Saints scoring output with 15 points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting and 7-of-7 from the charity stripe in the opening 20 minutes.

Early in the second half, Siena would extend their lead to seven (34-27) four minutes in following a Menty lay-up. The Saints continued their recent dominance of the paint posting 32 more points today in the painted area and out-rebounded the MAAC's top team on the boards, 28-25.

But the Stags continued to slowly chip away at the deficit and reclaimed the lead at 44-41 following a Sabra Wrice three with 8:15 to go. Up 47-46 three minutes later after a Wrice free throw, the teams would alternate leads on the next six possessions. In all, the game featured 10 ties and 13 lead changes.

Tied at 55 with 1:47 remaining, Stags guard Megan Caskin put Fairfield up for good with a baseline jumper, securing the Stags a 57-55 advantage.

Siena remained resilient however, and pulled with two (59-57) on a Melissa Manzer runner in the lane with 44 seconds to go. After Wrice missed the front end of a one and one, the Saints came down the court with a chance to tie.

However, with 15 seconds to go, Manzer had the ball knocked away from her near the sideline. As she was about to regain possession, the side official ran into the ball and blew and inadvertent whistle. After several minutes of discussion, the officials reversed the call and gave possession to Fairfield, in essence ending the game as Siena would never get an opportunity to get a potential game tying shot off.

Siena shot well again from the floor (48.9%), but was marred by 12 second half turnovers. Fairfield's strength came from their bench which held a commanding 24-2 scoring edge over the Saints' second unit. Stags reserve Meka Werts led three Fairfield players in double figures with 12 points.

Following a Loyola win over Rider yesterday, the Saints slipped to seventh place in the standings, a full game behind the Greyhounds with four remaining. However, the teams will do battle on Monday night in Loudonville as Siena will have a chance to reclaim sixth place in the MAAC with a win and a potential season sweep. Tip time is slated for 7 p.m. from the Alumni Recreation Center.