Feb. 7, 2006

Box Score

STATEN ISLAND, NY - The Fairleigh Dickinson women's basketball team won 69-50 in the Spiro Sports Center on the campus of Wagner College on Tuesday, Feb. 7. Senior guard Krissy Suckow led the Knights, dropping in 10 first-half points, en route to 21 in the game.

The Knights (6-14, 3-9 NEC) jumped out in front via a 6-0 run, capitalizing on three-consecutive steals, and would never trail in the contest. However, Wagner (1-19, 1-10 NEC) responded with a 6-0 surge of its own, leveling the contest at 6-6.

Suckow nailed a three-ball from five feet behind the arc at 15:28, pushing the Knights ahead, 9-6. The senior connected on 6-of-15 attempts from the field, including three from long-range.

Sophomore point guard Megan Kirkland led a 3-on-1 fast-break, dishing to Suckow for a lay-in with 11:32 remaining, increasing FDU's lead to 18-11. Kirkland drained a three-pointer at 9:54, boosting the Knights to a double-digit lead at 22-11. The 5-foot-6 floor leader notched 11 points, five rebounds and four assists on the night, including three field goals from downtown.

Sophomore forward Jennifer Walkling dominated the glass in the first-half, hauling down 12 boards. Walkling fell one point shy of her third double-double of the season, notching nine points, including a career-high and Knight season-high 19 rebounds.

Fairleigh Dickinson held a 15-point advantage at halftime, 33-18, representing its largest lead at the break this season. After the initial 20 minutes, the Knights out-rebounded Wagner 25-12, while compiling 12 points in the paint.

Junior forward Mercedez Walker continued the Knights' aggressive performance on defense, swatting away two inside looks on the Seahawks' opening possessions of the second-half. The 6-foot-3 post player knocked down a jumper on the baseline to open FDU's scoring in the period, on her way to tallying nine points and four blocks on the night.

Freshman forward Katie Warehime dumped in eight-straight points, at one time giving the Knights an 18-point advantage, 48-30, with 13:00 remaining. The freshman posted nine points - all coming in the second-half - converting 5-of-6 opportunities from the charity stripe.

The Seahawks were led by Chelsey Bunyer's 14 points and Ali Ridge's eight rebounds.

"It's big just to get a win," Gordon said. "Tonight we did everything, especially knocking down free throws in the second-half. This is a good team victory and really helps us gain confidence going into the final stretch."

The Knights host Mount St. Mary's at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11. The Mountaineers bested FDU in the final minute of play in Emmitsburg, MD on Dec. 10, 67-64.