BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Canisius College women's basketball team was edged by the Fairfield on Saturday, as the Stags cashed in a last-second jumper to come away with the victory, 51-50. With the loss the Griffs drop to 7-5, and 2-1 in MAAC play, while Fairfield improves to 6-6 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

With one second remaining on the clock, it appeared the Griffs had successfully defended a Fairfield final possession, however Kristin Schatzlein corralled a loose ball and got away a desperation jumper to lift the Stags to victory. The Griffs did receive one final possession, but Crystal Porter hoisted a jumper that missed the mark.

The Griffs were sparked by the efforts of Tiahana Mills, who paced the Blue and Gold with 17 points, and Porter, who notched 11. Mills was two rebounds shy of the double-doubles, recording eight boards, to lead the team.

Casey Smith led the Fairfield attack with 16 points, while both Samantha Cooper and Kristin Schatzlein scored 14 to aid the Stags cause. Kelsey Carey led the team in rebounds with seven, while Lizzy Ball, finished the game with five assists.

The Griffs first quarter success continued in this contest as the squad outscored Fairfield 13-5 in the first frame, and held the Stags scoreless for the final 5:14 seconds of the opening stanza. Fairfield completed the quarter shooting just 7 percent from the field.

Maria Welch led the way for the Blue and Gold offensively in the first quarter as she draind a pair of treys to give Canisius a nice lead.

It was a reversal of fortunes in the second quarter however as Fairfield broke the scoreless streak with a vengeance, as Schatzlein drilled a trey which sparked an 8-0 Stags run in the first five minutes of the frame to take the lead 16-15. 

Like the Stags in the first quarter, the Griffs offense went cold as Porter, Mills and Margret Halfdanardottir were the only members of the team to notch buckets as the squad went 3-of-12 from the field, including an uncharacteristic 0-of-7 from beyond the arc, and went into halftime down 25-19.

The two teams slugged it out in the third quarter as the Griffs edged Fairfield in scoring 14-13 to set up a exciting final frame.

With the score 38-33, the Griffs wasted no time in cutting into the small deficit. Canisius opened on a 6-0 run to retake the lead 41-38. Canisius held that lead until the final minute when Schatzlein lofted a jumper to win the game, 51-50

With the Stag's victory, Fairfield has now defeated Canisius in 12 of the last 13 meetings.

The Griffs finished up the three-game homestand with Siena on Monday evening. Tip off is slated for 7 p.m.