Dec. 9, 2007
Final Stats
FAIRFIELD, CONN. - For the fourth time this season, the Marist women's basketball team held an opponent to 30% shooting from the field, holding Fairfield to 30% from the field in a 55-44 win Sunday. Sophomore forward Rachele Fitz (Seven Hills, Ohio) led the Red Foxes with 18 points, making 7-of- 10 shots from the field.
Nikki Flores (Montvale, N.J.) had 14 points on the day, making 5-for-11 shots and grabbing six rebounds. Meg Dahlman (Spencerport, N.Y.) and Julianne Viani (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) each scored eight points for Marist, with Dahlman adding six boards.
Fitz and Fairfield's Sabra Wrice would trade baskets to start the game. A Wrice three-pointer would give the Stags an early 7-6 lead. The Red Foxes would go on an 8-1 run over the next 5:24, keyed by three-pointers from Flores and Sarah Smrdel (Mentor, Ohio) to take a 14-8 lead. Fairfield would get as close as four in the half, but Marist would get the lead up to 10, 24-14, with 3:52 to go in the half on a pair of free throws by Élise Caron (Quebec, Canada). The Red Foxes would finish the first half ahead 26-18.
Flores and Fitz would continue their strong play in the second half. Fitz scored the first six for Marist, with Flores scoring the next five including a three-point play to put the Red Foxes ahead 37-26 with 13:19 to go. The lead would get to its largest with 6:50 to go, as Viani set up a Fitz basket to put Marist ahead 48-34. The Stags would get within eight, 50-42, on a Baendu Lowenthal jumper with 2:30 to go. Viani would answer that basket five straight points, including a three-pointer, to put Marist ahead 55-42 with 59 seconds to go. The Red Foxes would go on to win their tenth straight game, 55-44.
Marist (10-1, 2-0 MAAC) shot 45.5% from the field and 84.6% from the free-throw line. They also committed only 11 turnovers, forcing 13 Stags turnovers. Fairfield held the rebounding edge, 42-25, grabbing 21 offensive rebounds.
Fairfield (6-3, 0-2 MAAC) was led by Sabra Wrice's 18 points. Baendu Lowenthal added 11 points, all coming in the second half. Stephanie Geehan led all players with 12 rebounds.
Marist returns home for a game Wednesday night against Hartford. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. Single-game and group tickets are available online at GoRedFoxes.com and at the Marist Ticket Office. For ticket information, call the Marist Ticket Office at (845) 575-3553.
