Jan. 25, 2006

Box Score

HACKENSACK, NJ - The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team hung tough on its home court, but lost to Sacred Heart University, 76-55, on Wednesday, Jan. 25 in the Rothman Center.

Sophomore forward Jennifer Walkling (Westminster, MD) broke a scoreless time at 17:59 in the first-half with a hoop and the foul inside the paint. Walkling converted the free throw and the Knights (4-11, 1-6 NEC) jumped out to an early lead, 3-0.

Junior guard Amanda Pape (Stamford, CT) drained a pull-up jumper from the top of the key, sparking a 9-0 Sacred Heart run, as the Pioneers (16-2, 9-0 NEC) connected on 4-of-5 field goals on their next five possessions.

The Knights would battle back by virtue of second-chance points, as Walkling grabbed an offensive rebound and converted a lay-up. Sophomore guard Shanay Freeman (Laurelton, NY) then crashed the offensive boards and popped a jumper as the Knights cut the deficit to 13-9.

Sacred Heart was boosted by two-straight buckets by Pape, pushing the score to 17-9. FDU senior guard Krissy Suckow (East Brunswick, NJ) responded by hitting a three-pointer from the right wing to make the score, 17-12.

Walkling powered the Knights, ripping down five offensive boards in the first-half, contributing nine points in the period - six on put-backs. The sophomore post player tallied a double-double, including three season highs - 15 points 10 rebounds and 30 minutes.

Freeman chipped in four offensive rebounds in the opening 20 minutes, en route to 10 points and a season-high seven rebounds on the night.

The Pioneers cashed in on 14 first-half turnovers by Fairleigh Dickinson, jumping out to a 39-29 advantage at the break. After the first 20 minutes, the NEC's first-place squad recorded an 81.3 shooting percentage from the charity stripe on 16 attempts.

FDU opened the second-half an a 7-0 run, with junior point guard Gayle Coats (Richmond, VA) dishing to junior forward Mercedez Walker (Stratford, CT) for a bucket at 19:03, thus cutting the SHU lead to single digits at 39-31. Walker hit 1-of-2 free throws before Freeman connected off glass, and then from the baseline, to bring Fairleigh Dickinson to within three, at 39-36.

Sacred Heart was held without a field goal in initial 3:41 of the second-half, until junior forward Jasmine Walker (Amityville, NY) hit a runner in the lane. Two hoops inside of a 14-second span pushed the Pioneers to a 45-37 lead at the 14:51 mark. Seven minutes later, SHU increased the margin to 62-48.

Pape led Sacred Heart, notching two game-highs with 22 points and six assists.

The Knights visit Robert Morris University at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28.