FAIRFIELD, Connecticut – Marist women's basketball (11-5, 3-1 MAAC) defeated Fairfield (3-11, 0-3 MAAC) on the road, 56-46, for their third conference victory. The Stags kept the game close through the first half, but the Red Foxes took control of the game in the third quarter with a 10-2 scoring run to build a lead that would never be given back.
 

SUMMARY

• Fairfield scored the first basket of the game, but Marist had the advantage in the first quarter and led 16-12 at the first break.
• Both teams were in a scoring drought to start the second until Rebekah Hand scored over three minutes in.
• The Stags made a push with consecutive field goals to cut Marist's lead to 18-17 midway through the second.
• Hand scored all six points for Marist in the second quarter to maintain the lead 22-20 heading into halftime. Fairfield scored eight in the 2Q, but was unable to overtake the Red Foxes.
• Marist didn't allow a field goal for the first five minutes of the third quarter, and led 28-24 at the media timeout.
• The Red Foxes went on a 10-2 run after the timeout and put the Stags starters in foul trouble for a 36-24 lead midway through the third.
• Marist forced seven turnovers and drew eight fouls in the third quarter.
• The Stags and the Red foxes went even to start the fourth, with the score at 46-36 at the midway point. Gilmer had five of the seven Marist points.
• Fairfield couldn't cut down the double-digit deficit and Marist came away with the win.

KEY STATS

•  Rebekah Hand recorded her second double-double of the season with 14 points, 10 rebounds and an assist.
• Alana Gilmer led the Red Foxes in scoring with 16 points, four rebounds and three steals.
• 11 steals is a season-high for Marist.

GAME NOTES

• With six made free throws today, Hand has made 44 in a row and continues to lead the nation at 96.4 percent.
• Gilmer and Sarah Barcello's three steals were career-highs for both of them.
• Hand's 1,213 career points place her at 11^th all-time in Marist history.

QUOTE

"We told them after the Quinnipiac game that if our defensive intensity didn't change, it was going to be a long year. I couldn't have asked for a better game than this because we didn't shoot the ball well, and on days like that your defense has to show up like it did today" reflected Coach Brian Giorgis. "We did a better job offensively in the second half and kept the ball moving. We went 1-for-12 from three and it didn't hurt us. I can't say enough about what these guys did on the defensive end of the floor."
 

UP NEXT

The Red Foxes return home to host Monmouth (5-9, 1-2 MAAC) on Tuesday, Jan 15. Tip-off with the Hawks is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN3.