L'Amoreaux and Selimovic lead the Fairfield Stags in MAAC Season Opener over Mount St. Mary's

By Joe Budzelek

(@stf_ncaa) 

Following a nine point loss to St. John’s at the conclusion of their non-conference schedule, the Fairfield Stags rebounded Saturday afternoon by handedly defeating the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers 76-to-61 in the MAAC season home opener. Playing their second game in a row without fifth-year senior guard and reigning MAAC Player of the Year Janelle Brown – who is out for the year with an ACL injury – the Stags victory was shouldered by the team's aggressive defense that forced 22 turnovers, as well as big games from breakout sophomore guard Kaety L'Amoreaux and senior road runner Emina Selimovic. In the wake of Brown’s injury, L'Amoreaux’s combination of downhill scoring and lead facilitating has immediately propelled her to step up and become Fairfield’s offensive catalyst. Finishing with 23 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals, L'Amoreaux surgically navigated the Mountaineers’ defense, often willing herself to the basket with a blend of brawn, will and creative agility. “Everyone knows that my team is filled with shooters,” said L'Amoreaux, “So, when they space out like that and I have the one-on-one, I have the confidence in myself.” After a slow start, Selimovic had a standout game finishing with a season high 18 points and tying a season high of 7 rebounds. In addition to the impressive box score numbers, the senior was a constant irritant on the defensive end and battled under the basket on both ends.

One of the many times Fairfield senior road runner Emina Selimovic was wide open at the top of the key as Fairfield's spacing helped fuel the Stags' 47% field goal percentage this afternoon.

Following a disappointing five turnover night against St. John’s, fifth-year senior guard Izabela Nicoletti Leite finished with seven assists and just two turnovers while often sharing the floor in a three-guard lineup with L'Amoreaux and senior Kendall McGruder that helped provide a more fluid synergy in the offensive halfcourt. “They did a good job letting the game come to them,” said head coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis in response to the guard play, “There were some moments where we forced it a little bit, but they played with poise as far as letting things develop. They did a nice job of adhering to what we were looking for offensively, as far as high-lows and post touches, and where those were going to come from. They did a great job executing that.” Speaking of post touches, fifth-year senior Raiana Brown finished with one of her best games of the season with 8 points on an efficient 3-for-4 from the field. With four key players injured, including 6’2 sophomore road runner Karly Fischer, Brown has been one of the Stags who has stepped up to earn more playing time. “[The coaching staff] knows that the crew that we have now, even with the people down, is going to get it done.” says L'Amoreaux, “Just going out with that same intensity is what’s going to help us keep winning.” With a nearly two-week holiday break approaching, the Stags next chance to continue their winning ways will be on the road when they visit Rider on Thursday, January 2nd.