The Fairfield University Women's Basketball team beat Connecticut rival Quinnipiac 51-44 in the MAAC championship game Monday night, winning its third consecutive conference title, and punching its ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

While the Stags led by 10 with under three minutes to play, Quinnipiac made the viewing party at Elicit Brewing in Fairfield sweat a bit, cutting the deficit to just three with 22 seconds to play, and barely missing a shot that would have tied it.

Instead, Fairfield is off to the big dance again, continuing a dynasty that has seen the program win 66 of the 68 games it has played against conference opponents over these three years.

"It's amazing for our daughter to see inspiring young women go after whatever they believe in, and accomplishing it, and it's amazing in our daughter," said Fairfield resident Caroline Lynn, who was there with her family. "Fairfield is amazing place and the university adds a lot to it, and this team adds a lot to it, so we're really lucky to live in Fairfield and raise our children here."

This is the eighth time in program history that Fairfield Women's Basketball has qualified for the NCAA Tournament, but it is still looking for its first win.

The Stags will find out their draw on Sunday night.