Saturday, February 6, 2010

Guest Contributor Ray Floriani: Fairfield at St. Peter's Women's Basketball

by Ray Floriani

JERSEY CITY, NJ - In MAAC women’s meeting on Friday night, St.Peter’s defended their way to a 55-41 decision over Fairfield at Yanitelli Center. The efficiency and four factors in a pedestrian 58 possession game (Fairfield 59 St. Peter's 57):



 FTM 

ORtgeFG%FGAOR%TO%
Fairfield7030173322
St.Peter’s9738236026

Scoring has been a problem for Fairfield in conference play. Entering the game these were a few of their numbers on the offensive end.



O Eff.eFG%2FGM%PPG
Fairfield88434156.6

The Stags haven’t fared well in the paint or beyond the arc either. Their three point percentage is 32%. On the defensive side their defensive efficiency is 94. That’s pretty good D but that offensive number is responsible for a -6 efficiency margin and a sub .500 conference record.

The story tonight was defense. Fairfield struggled from the floor and had a poor OE. Credit St.Peter’s for a tough defense that gave few good looks. Defense and hustle also resulted in a notable 60% offensive rebounding percentage. Stephanie DeWolfe’s club simply hustled on both ends of the floor.

Fairfield did not have a player in double figures. They were led by senior forward Tara Flaherty with 9 points and the only Stag to shoot 50% (3 of 6) from the field. The Stags trailed 28-13 at the half. They scored five field goals the first four minutes of the second half but that was their best stretch. On the evening they managed only 15 field goals.

St.Peter’s had two players hit double figures and was paced by senior guard Natasha Morris with 17 points. Rapidly improving sophomore center Quiana Porter added a significant 13 rebounds and 4 blocks to her six points.

Turnover rate was high for St.Peter’s but when you defend as well as they did and have a 19-6 advantage in second half points and hit 13 of 17 from the line, there are a lot of pluses to look back on.

Katelyn Linney. Had a chance to meet Linney (pictured) after the game. She is a Fairfield freshman, third in scoring at 10.4 PPG. Last season she played on the New Jersey TOC champion St. John Vianney. Yours truly had the opportunity, or honor, to officiate the game she scored her 1,000th point, a January win over Oak Hill at Monmouth University. Vocal on the floor and very active, Linney has a great outside touch. Tonight, as with her teammates, it was not a game for the archives. She scored 7 points but was 1 of 7 beyond the arc.

Records. Fairfield is 10-12, 4-7 in conference. St.Peter’s, winners in three of their last four, is 9-13, 5-6 in the MAAC.

“It was a good effort. We executed and they (Fairfield) didn’t get any easy looks….(Natasha) Morris is playing point. She’s not a natural point but does what we need.” - St.Peter’s coach Stephanie DeWolfe
Fairfield's Katelyn Linney

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