The Fairfield Stags (18-3, 12-0 MAAC Conference) came into Poughkeepsie on Thursday, Feb. 8th and stomped the Marist Red Foxes (11-10, 6-5 MAAC) with a final score of 80 – 49.
Halfway through the opening quarter, the Stags knocked down three 3-pointers to take a 13-2 lead when the first media timeout took place. Fairfield’s perimeter prowess was evident from the tip.
Marist knew coming into the contest that Faifield thrives on the road; the Stags are third in the country with eight road wins, only trailing Notre Dame and George Mason.
The Red Foxes looked to erase an 11 point deficit entering the second quarter and the offense would need to start putting up points quickly. Following a ferocious and-one from graduate student guard, Izabela Nicoletti Leite, freshman guard Danielle Williamsen hit a triple and then proceeded to drive hard to the paint, burying a layup off the glass.
Nicoletti Leite finished the contest with 7 assists, adding to her MAAC leading, and 13th best in the nation, assist to turnover ratio.
Fairfield was not letting the Red Foxes climb close though, as it seemed that the Stags had an answer for everything that Marist threw at them, including a zone defense and some off-ball screens.
Seven 3-pointers helped Fairfield coast through the first half, leading 41-23 at the break. The Red Foxes seemed to have no solution for this highly efficient, perimeter centric Stags offense. The Stags ended up canning 15 3-pointers, shooting at a 44% clip.
“They have a lot of people that can shoot it,” said Marist head coach Erin Doughty. “Their offense moves so fast which means we have to help a lot, which means people are going to be open.”
Another piece of the game that Marist couldn’t seem to grasp was boxing out on Stags misses; they allowed Fairfield to grab eight offensive rebounds in the first half alone.
The plan to get junior center Morgan Lee involved early in the second half of play was clear, but Fairfield’s quick, collapsing defense denied her any chance at the rim. This suffocating defense provided by the Stags has been potent all year, especially in MAAC play where they rank first in scoring defense (ninth in the nation).
As soon as redshirt junior guard Lexie Tarul checked back into the game with six minutes remaining in the third, she took three quick triples, but couldn’t connect on any of them. Tarul has been the sniper all season long for the squad, but when she is not hitting from deep, the Red Foxes seem to struggle.
The game really started to get away from the Red Foxes late in the third quarter, where they conceded eight straight points, making the score 53-26 with 4:29 left. Fairfield continued to hound the ball-handler on defense and then turn their defensive success into points on the other end. The Stags finished with 17 points off turnovers.
After 30 minutes of basketball, Marist trailed 68-33; mainly due to the fierce 3-point shooting of the Stags. They hit 13 of them before the fourth even started, where they would eventually hit two more.
The fourth quarter was the same story. Fairfield just cracked 80 and absolutely demoralized a streaky Red Fox team. There was one bright spot in the fourth for the Red Foxes, though. Freshman guard Chloe Escanillas put up five quick points, a bright spot for a young-gun with obvious offensive ability.
“I thought our reserves had a really good week of practice,” said Doughty. “Chloe is definitely an offensive weapon. She showed some nice signs tonight, good ones.”
The Stags put on a basketball clinic in this one, winning by 31. They stay on the road and look to continue their undefeated MAAC run, heading to Sacred Heart on Saturday, Feb. 8th.
The Red Foxes also hit the road to face the Iona Gaels on that same Saturday, where they look to get back into the win column. Tipoff is set for 1 pm.
Edited by Michael Burns
Graphic by Quinn DiFiore; Photo from Kira Crutcher
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