FAIRFIELD, Conn.. The Canisius women’s basketball team will take on the Fairfield Stags at 7 p.m. Thursday at George Bisacca Court.
The Blue and Gold head into the home stretch of the season, as the Canisius women’s basketball team heads on the road for the final two games of the year, traveling to Fairfield on Thursday and Quinnipiac on Saturday. The final road trip sets up a pair of games that could have seeding implications at the upcoming MAAC tournament.
Canisius just finished up a two-game set, splitting its final two home games of the year. Defeating Saint Peter’s 61-56 and falling to Siena 77-67 on the team’s Senior day. The Griffs were once again led offensively by Sara Hinriksdottir, who notched 26 points and nine rebounds. She also posted five assists in the all-around effort. Canisius had two other players reach double-figures as Margret Halfdanardottir hit 15 points, while Lauren D’Hont recorded 10. It was a game runs as the Blue and Gold headed into the final frame with a two-point led. However Siena posted a 31-19 scoring advantage in the final 10 minutes, shooting over 70 percent in the final quarter, as the squad blew past the Griffs. On the season overall, Hinriksidottir is Leading the team offensively, and averages 15.5 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per contest. She also shoots near 50 percent with a mark of 47.9 percent from the field. D’Hont is second on the team in scoring, averaging 10.4 points per game, to go along with a 4.0 rebound per contest mark. Also flirting with a double-digit average is Margret Halfdanardottir, who averages 9.4 per contest. The long-range specialist is shooting 39.1 percent from beyond the arc. The Blue and Gold is averaging 59.3 points per game, while opponents are tallying 64.4 points per contest.
The Stags wrapped up the road portion of their 2016-17 campaign with a 65-55 loss at Iona. It was the second-straight loss for the Stags after posting a season-long five-game winning streak. Fairfield enters the final two contests with a 14-13 record and an 11-7 MAAC mark. The Stags come into the game in a three place tie for third place with Iona and Siena also posting identical 11-7 records in the MAAC. If the Stags win both of their remaining two games, they will automatically clinch a first round bye in the tournament and play on Saturday in the Quarterfinals. Samantha Cooper leads the team with 13.3 points per game, while Kelsey Carey is on her heels with a 13.2 mark. Casey Smith also is in double-figures, averaging 11.5 points per game. Cooper is averaging a near double-double, taking down 7.0 rebounds per contest.
The Griffs enter this contest against the Stags, looking to close the gap in the series history, with Fairfield leading 36-23. The Griffs have an opportunity to post its first sweep over Fairfield since the 2005-06 season. Canisius recorded a 63-49 win over the Stags at the Koessler Athletic Center on Jan. 22. The Griffs have also struggled on the road against Fairfield, having gone 8-17 all-time away from the KAC. Canisius has gotten the better of the Stags when it counts the most, holding a 4-2 mark in neutral/site or postseason contests.
With the return of its senior guard, Emily Weber, the Griffs are at full-strength when it comes to the team’s health. The Blue and Gold used its bench to its advantage against the Peacocks, as all 14 rostered players entered the game. It was the first time all season the Griffs have had every single player see minutes.
Entering the game against Rider on Feb. 12, Sophomore Sara Hinriksdottir had recorded double-digit points and eight-to-nine rebounds four times, flirting with a double-double multiple times. Finally against the Broncs, Hinriksdottir came through and accomplished the feat. Hinriksdottir scored 20 points and took down 12 rebounds as she not only recorded her first double-double, but also tallied the first for the team in the 2016-17 season. The last person to accomplish the feat was Lauren D’Hont against Marist last season she tallied 13 points and 10 boards.
With its win over Saint Peter’s, the Griffs continue to score wins in conference action. The Griffs are now near .500 for the season against its MAAC foes, with a 8-10 overall mark. With two games left to play the Griffs have a chance to post its most wins in conference since the 2012-13 season, when the team notched nine. Canisius has recorded eight wins in MAAC play in four of the last five seasons with its victory over the Peacocks.
from GoGriffs.com via IFTTT
