The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team dropped an overtime heartbreaker, 72-66, on the campus of Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ, Monday, Jan. 28.
Freshman guard Jasmyra Saunders (Trenton, NJ/Trenton Catholic) poured in a career-high 20 points off the bench, as the Knights moved to 8-12 overall and 4-5 in the Northeast Conference. Senior forward Jennifer Walkling (Westminster, MD/Westminster) tallied her sixth double-double of the year, going for two team-highs ? 22 points and 14 rebounds. Sophomore forward Christy Altamirano (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) finished with 10 points.
Monmouth (7-12 overall, 4-4 NEC) shot 26-for-28 from the foul line, while Fairleigh Dickinson was 10-of-23. A Knights' shooting drought of 6:36 from the field to conclude regulation allowed for the home-standing comeback.
“Their free throw shooting was the difference in the game, going over 90%,” Head Coach Peter Cinella said. “Monmouth rebounded the ball effectively and had balance scoring. Jasmyra did a great job offensively, with Jennifer having another solid night.”
MU scored the night's first two buckets, before Saunders rattled home an off-balance jumper in the paint. Senior guard Megan Kirkland (Glen Allen, VA/Hermitage) stepped up to knock down an open trey to create a 6-5 deficit.
Walkling powered home a deuce down low at the 13:42 mark to give FDU a 7-6 advantage. Hawks' senior guard Brianne Edwards answered by connecting from behind the arc on the right wing. Walkling corralled an offensive carom and made good on the put back to knot things, 9-9.
Altamirano picked the point's pocket at the top of the key and went the length of the floor for the conversion. Freshman guard Alyssa Mayrose (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) swished a three-ball from the left wing to punctuate an 11-0 run that originally began with Walkling's second effort.
MU senior guard Nyaimah Ware ended a 4:47 drought from the field with a trifecta, bringing things to 18-12 with 8:07 remaining. Junior forward LaKia Barber made good on an old-fashioned three-point play. Senior guard Veronica Randolph made it a one-point contest, striking from downtown on the next trip down the hardwood.
The Knights worked towards a 29-22 margin with 2:26 left, as Saunders went for a pair of driving hoops ? the second off glass. However, Monmouth tallied the final four points of the half, creating a one-possession ball game, 29-26.
Walkling posted nine points and seven rebounds by the break, with Saunders adding eight points. Junior center Jennifer Bender notched eight points and six boards for the Hawks ? who snatched 12 offensive rebounds in the initial 20 minutes.
FDU opened the second-half on a 6-2 push, with Mayrose immediately going for a back door lay-in and Walkling scoring a transition bucket. MU answered with a 9-0 run ? capped by a field goal from long-range by sophomore guard Brooke McElroy ? en route to jumping ahead, 38-35, at the 15:01 mark.
The Knights quickly regained the lead, with Saunders cashing-in on an acrobatic dribble drive, followed by two on the right block from Walkling. Once again, the Hawks went up, before Saunders penetrated via the baseline and banked home a one-handed attempt while being driven to the floor. The rookie made good at the line, putting Fairleigh Dickinson on top, 42-41, with 10:55 remaining, then stepped into a three-pointer the next time down the floor.
Senior guard Shanay Freeman (Laurelton, NY/Towsend Harris) registered her first field goals of the evening ? back-to-back three-pointers ? at the 7:40 mark, giving FDU a 51-43 lead. Monmouth shifted into a full-court press, but the Knights countered with a long outlet pass to Saunders for a lay-up.
Monmouth went on a 12-0 surge, aided by six points at the charity stripe to regain the lead, 57-56, at the 2:03 mark. Four points from the line courtesy of Walkling were not enough to prevent overtime.
Fairleigh Dickinson struck first in the extra session, following a backdoor cut and score by Altamirano. The Hawks' McElroy then connected from behind the arc, with Ware following suit from the identical location.
Altamirano hauled down an offensive board and converted the put-back. Walkling earned three the hard way with 33 seconds left, cutting the deficit to 68-66.
Bender recorded a double-double for Monmouth with a pair of game-highs ? 24 points and 15 rebounds. Ware chipped-in 14 points, with McElroy adding eight points and eight boards.
Monmouth is now tied with FDU, 1-1, in the newly founded Garden State Rivalry Series, The Knights' men's squad defeated the Hawks, 70-66, Friday, in West Long Branch. The series winner will possess the hardware throughout the offseason.
Fairleigh Dickinson hosts Quinnipiac University at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2 in Hackensack, NJ.
