Jan. 14, 2006

Box Score

NEW BRITAIN, CT - The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team rallied late, but fell short at Central Connecticut State University, 61-55, on Saturday afternoon at Detrick Gymnasium.

Junior forward Mercedez Walker led FDU in the first-half, shooting 3-for-6 from the field for six points. Walker posted a career-high 12 points, in addition to recording five rebounds.

The Blue Devils took a 33-21 lead into halftime by virtue of 13 assists. The Knights would respond after the break with a full-court press.

Fairleigh Dickinson (3-9, 0-4 NEC) opened the second-half on an 11-2 run, including seven points by senior guard Krissy Suckow in a span of 4:26. The Knights' lone senior recorded 12 points, four assists and four rebounds in the contest.

FDU's intensity on defense created 11 second-half turnovers, as Head Coach Sandy Gordon's squad held the Blue Devils to 28 points in the final 20 minutes.

However, the Knights trailed 45-35 at the 11:13 mark, and forced CCSU to the free throw line. Fairleigh Dickinson pressed on to close the gap to 50-48 with 5:05 remaining in the game.

The Blue Devils (4-10, 1-3 NEC) went on a 6-0 run to hold a 58-52 advantage when sophomore point guard Megan Kirkland drained a three-pointer with 1:09 remaining to cut the deficit to 58-55. Kirkland netted 10 points, four assists and three steals in the contest.

CCSU then connected on 3-of-4 shots from the charity stripe to seal a 61-55 victory.

Junior forward Gabriella Guegbelet led the Blue Devils with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Senior forward Kim Boone notched 14 points, seven rebounds and three steals.

The Knights travel to Quinnipiac University on Monday, Jan. 16 at 1:00 p.m.