ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (Mar. 9, 2026) – The Fairfield University Stags successfully defended its title for the second straight season by winning the 2026 Air Force Reserve Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Women’s Basketball Championship on Monday night at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. No. 2 Fairfield University defeated No. 1 Quinnipiac University, 51-44, to capture the program’s third straight MAAC title.
No. 2 Fairfield – 51 | No. 1 Quinnipiac – 44
Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall | ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
Box Score (XML)
Box Score (PDF)
The much anticipated rubber match between the MAAC’s top two squads and rematch of the 2025 title game, did not disappoint. The Women’s MAAC Championship game between Quinnipiac and Fairfield started off with defense. Fairfield scored the game’s first two baskets, each coming as second chance points following offensive rebounds. Quinnipiac matched with a 4-0 run of its own. After another tie at 6-6, Fairfield took a 10-9, one-point lead into the second quarter. It was a highly defensive first quarter, with both teams shooting under 30 percent from the field.
The second quarter was the complete opposite, with both offenses ratcheting up. Quinnipiac took its first lead of the day with the first bucket of the quarter, a turnaround jumper by Ella O’Donnell, putting the Bobcats ahead 11-10. With the Bobcats leading, 13-12, Fairfield got hot with Jill Huerter cashing in back-to-back threes during a Stags’ 11-0 sequence. That run catapulted the Stags to a 23-13 lead by the 4:45 mark. Quinnipiac was able to cut the lead to just six at halftime, with the Fairfield up 25-19. After going 0-for-3 in the first quarter from long range, Fairfield connected on 3-of-6 three pointers in the second. The opposite happened for the Bobcats, going 2-for-3 in the first quarter, and 0-for-3 in the second. Huerter and Cyanne Coe led all scorers with eight points at the break.
Coming out of the locker both teams had prolonged scoring droughts, each having a slump of over four minutes without a basket. After the Stags drought, Fairfield went on a 9-4 run to close out the third and take a 38-29 advantage into the final frame.
In the fourth quarter Fairfield was able to extend its lead to as high as 11 points twice. Quinnipiac slowly cut into the lead and with 1:00 left, a Jackie Grisdale layup off a Fairfield turnover made it a three point game. Still trailing by three with :23 remaining and possession of the ball, Quinnipiac’s Sydney Robinson hoisted up an attempt at the game-tying three from the top of the key that came up short and Fairfield pulled down the defensive rebound. Four final free throws iced the game and sealed Fairfield ‘s third consecutive MAAC Championship.
Fairfield Notes and Notables
- Fairfield controlled the bulk of the championship game, leading for almost 36 minutes, while only trailing for 1:36 and by no more than one point, which only came early in the third quarter.
- Huerter led the Stags in scoring with a team-high 16 points, making four out of the six total Fairfield three pointers in the contest.
- Cyanne Coe was the second leading scorer on the squad and led the team in rebounds with her 15 points and 10 rebounds double-double.
- Meghan Andersen was a point shy of double figures, scoring nine points in the win, while adding two steals and two blocks on the defensive end of the court.
- Fairfield’s stifling defense forced 19 turnovers for the second straight tournament game and caused nine steals.
- The Stags converted those turnovers into 19 points.
- Fairfield scored 24 points in the paint and added eight fast break points.
- Fairfield has officially become a dynasty, winning its third straight MAAC title and fourth over the past five years.
- Overall, the Stags have claimed seven MAAC crowns.
- Fairfield becomes the first MAAC program to three-peat since Quinnipiac, which won three straight from 2017 to 2019.
- They are the fourth program ever in MAAC history to win three or more straight titles, joining the aforementioned Quinnipiac team, Marist (nine straight from 2006 to 2014), and Saint Peter’s (1982 to 1984).
- Fairfield earns the MAAC automatic qualifier into the March Madness field and will find out their opponent and destination during the NCAA Women's Basketball Selection Show, which airs live on ESPN on Sunday, March 15 at 8:00 p.m.
Quinnipiac Notes and Notables
- Anna Foley finished with a game-high 17 points, and led Quinnipiac in rebounds (9), assists (3), steals (2) and blocks (2).
- Ella Ryan scored 14 points and added four rebounds.
- The Bobcats won the rebounding battle, outrebounding the Stags 35-27.
- Quinnipiac’s bench also outplayed Fairfield’s reserves, posting a scorer advantage in bench points (17-4).
Huerter was selected as the 2026 Championship MVP. Joining her on the MAAC All-Championship Team were her teammates Andersen and Coe, while Foley and Grisdale from runner-up Quinnipiac earned spots, along with Naomi Barnwell of Iona University, and Madison Roman from Merrimack College.
Air Force Reserve
The mission of the Air Force Reserve is to provide combat-ready forces to fly, fight, and win in air, space, and cyberspace, whenever and wherever needed. As a critical component of the United States Air Force, the Air Force Reserve supports global operations while remaining ready to respond to domestic emergencies and humanitarian efforts. It is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping Reserve Citizen Airmen to execute a wide range of missions that contribute to national defense and global security.
The Air Force Reserve offers part-time and full-time service options, enabling individuals to serve while maintaining civilian careers or pursuing higher education. Each year, the Reserve recruits thousands of enlisted and officer personnel across core specialties including Aviation, Maintenance, Intelligence, Cyber, Medical, Security Forces, and Logistics. This flexibility allows members to develop valuable skills, gain leadership experience, and serve their country with pride.
More information about Air Force Reserve careers and opportunities is available at:
https://www.airforce.com/ways-to-serve/air-force-reserve.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 13 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 45th year of competition during the 2025-26 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius University, Fairfield University, Iona University, Manhattan University, Marist University, Merrimack College, Mount St. Mary’s University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Sacred Heart University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena University.
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