<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3VUZ7a_1Gzwpr6N00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3VUZ7a_1Gzwpr6N00" width="1200" height="802" ></figure>Villanova women’s basketball will host Merrimack on Thursday, Nov. 12, and then travel to Fairfield on Sunday, Nov. 15, as it looks to build early-season momentum after a tough loss in Italy against Notre Dame.Thursday will be the first time the Wildcats play Merrimack in program history. The Warriors were picked to finish 11th in the pre-season Metro Conference poll. Merrimack added 12 players in the offseason under newly appointed head coach Missy Traversi. Before Merrimack, Traversi spent four seasons as the head coach of Army West Point.Six of the new players are international talent, coming from Spain, Australia, Hungary and Germany. The Warriors’ two returning players are Kristen Kelley and Joi Williams. Last season, Merrimack finished 19-13 overall and went 15-5 in conference play. The Warriors ultimately fell to Fairfield, 65-48, in the Metro Championship Semifinals. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Finneran Pavilion. The game will air on ESPN+. Fairfield opened its season with a decisive 90-63 victory over Binghamton. Graduate KaetyL’Amoreaux led the Stags with 23 points and 10 assists as she returns after being named the MAAC Player of the Year last season.Fairfield comes off another successful 2025-2026 season and posted a 28-5 overall record, while finishing 19-1 in conference. The Stags reached the MAAC conference championship, where they defeated Quinnipiac 51-44 and earned an 11-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Fairfield traveled to Columbus, where it fell in the first round to Notre Dame, 79-60.Under head coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis, Fairfield has reached the NCAA Tournament threetimes in her four-season tenure. Thibault-DuDonis also achieved her 100th career win last season, making her the fastest coach in MAAC history to reach this milestone.The Stags’ defense ranked 13th nationally last season. They also scored 2,416 points in total,setting a program record, led by Guard Kaety L’Amoreax, who averaged 17.3 points per game.Senior Meghan Andersen also returns this season after leading Fairfield with 33 blocks and 88three-pointers.Fairfield welcomes four freshmen this year, including Emma Rogers, who represented NewZealand in the U18 nationals.Villanova lost to Fairfield early last season, 75-63. Jasmine Bascoe led the Wildcats against the Stags, with a team-high 30 points and eight rebounds in 36 minutes. Bascoe also performed well against Notre Dame earlier this year, recording 26 points and nine assists. Sophomore EJ Bender also had a solid showing in her collegiate debut against the Irish, with 14 points and seven rebounds after missing the previous season due to injury.At the Eternal City Tip-Off, Villanova fell behind early and never found their footing as a groupin the 99-75 loss to Notre Dame. However, the Wildcats recorded 25 points off the bench, showcasing the contributions of role players in addition to starters.Villanova currently leads the all-time series against the Stags, 12-2. However, Fairfield has won the last two matchups. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. at the Leo D. Mahoney Arena.</div></body>

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Villanova women’s basketball will host Merrimack on Thursday, Nov. 12, and then travel to Fairfield on Sunday, Nov. 15, as it looks to build early-season momentum after a tough loss in Italy against Notre Dame. Thursday will be the first time the Wildcats play Merrimack in program history. The...

Preview: WBB To Face Merrimack & Fairfield

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Villanova women’s basketball will host Merrimack on Thursday, Nov. 12, and then travel to Fairfield on Sunday, Nov. 15, as it looks to build early-season m

Preview: WBB To Face Merrimack & Fairfield

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