Jan. 4, 2013
Final Stats
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Rookie Tiffany Padgett recorded a career-best 10 points, and her first collegiate double-double, but it was not enough to hold off Fairfield University, as the Loyola University Maryland women's basketball team lost, 64-54, in the 2013 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference season opener at Alumni Hall.
Padgett made her collegiate starting debut for the Greyhounds (5-7) recording ten points and ten rebounds, in 31 minutes of action.
The freshman was the first to put points on the board in the second half, sparking the comeback attempt for the Greyhounds.
In the second half alone, both Loyola and Fairfield recorded 36 and 37 points, respectively, but it would not be enough to comeback after a 27-18 deficit at the half.
Three minutes into the second half, senior Katie Sheahin grabbed a steal and connected on the fast break to put the Greyhounds down by eight. Loyola was unable to capitalize on the momentum, as the Stags made three of their next three-point attempts. Fairfield took the largest lead of the evening, 45-28, after a Felicia DaCruz three-pointer from the right wing.
Sheahin would counter with a jumper, and follow with a pair of free throws. The senior guard led the game in scoring with 17 points, recording four rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
Fairfield forward Katie Cizynski was one point shy of a double-double recording 11 points and nine rebounds. Guard Katelyn Linney led the Stags with 13 points.
Both teams shot less than 40 percent from behind the arc, but began the game with threes from Alexys Vazquez and Sheahin.
The first ten minutes of regulation were back-and-forth, but the Stags took off on a 10-2 run sparked by a Cizynski layup following an Alyssa Sutherland three-pointer.
With 7:40 left in the first half, a pair of Brittany MacFarlane free throws gave the Stags a double-digit advantage, and the largest lead of the first half, but it was a Padgett jumper that put the Greyhounds back in contention.
The Stags continued to put points on the board, recording three free throws before the halftime buzzer.
Fairfield made 90 percent of their free throws (17-19). The lsat time the Stags shot in the 90th percentile was last seaosn against Manhattan, when the team went 11-12.
Despite the loss, two other Greyhounds had a big night including Jeneh Perry who grabbed a career-best four rebounds, and Nai Brown who tabbed a career-high nine points against the Stags.
The Greyhounds return home after being away from Reitz Arena for 33 days. Loyola will host the Saint Peter's Peacocks for a Sunday double-header, with tipoff at 2:30 p.m.
