The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team was defeated, 60-40, as it entertained Monmouth University, Monday, Jan. 19 at Stratis Arena in the Rothman Center. After the third of four Garden State Rivalry Series games between the institutions' men's and women's programs, Head Coach Peter Cinella's dropped to 4-12 overall and 3-4 in the Northeast Conference.
MU notched its third-consecutive victory in league action, upping the squad's record to 8-9 overall and 3-4 versus NEC opponents. Earlier this season, Fairleigh Dickinson put away the home-standing Hawks, 60-56 in overtime. After a 26-rebound margin in the first meeting, the Hawks held a 35-27 edge on the afternoon, and posted its largest margin of victory this season.
“Monmouth came out and played a very solid game,” Cinella said. “They are an excellent defensive team. We need to continue to work and look to improve.”
For the second time this season, guard Alyssa Mayrose (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) (Freehold, NJ) fell one rebound shy of her first career double-double, posting a team-leading 11 points and nine boards. The sophomore hit the offensive glass four times. Freshman guard Mariyah Laury (Orange, NJ/Orange) (Orange, NJ) added 10 points, with eight coming in the second half.
Senior forward Jennifer Bender (Staten Island, NY) finished with nine points and nine rebounds, while freshman guard Alexis Scott (Somerset, NJ) scored a game-high 14 points, flanked by six rebounds. Senior forward LaKia Barber (Clinton, MD) chipped-in 11 points and six rips.
Less than five seconds after the opening tip, Mayrose converted a feed from Laury. Hawks' freshman guard Alexis Canady (Forestville, MD) struck from deep to make it 7-6, before Mayrose netted an offensive put-back to regain the lead. Canady then spotted up from behind the arc, backed by a triple by Scott, en route to creating a 13-8 advantage for the visitors with 13:36 remaining.
Knights' junior guard Jordan Sykes (Avalon, NJ/Holy Spirit) (Avalon, NJ) halted an eventual 8-0 run, following a one-handed scoop shot off glass. FDU cut the deficit to four, prior to Canady dishing to Barber in transition, as the count was extended to 22-14 in favor the Monmouth with 6:05 remaining.
Due to a 12-3 push over the final 5:46 of the first period, Monmouth held a 34-19 stronghold at the break. The Hawks ? who drained all five of their treys in the first half ? capitalized for 13 points off turnovers, while Canady and Scott went for nine and eight points, respectively. Mayrose's eight points and six rebounds paced Fairleigh Dickinson.
Laury opened the scoring in the second stanza then pressured to gain a backcourt violation at the other end. Sykes took it to the baseline and kicked out to freshman center Erica McKeithan (Newport News, VA/Heritage) (Newport News, VA) who popped a 15-footer, and the Knights sliced it to 36-25 at the14:22 mark.
Despite contact, Barber drove the lane and knocked down a floater, to collect three the hard way. The two squads pressed on, exchanging baskets, before MU strung together five-straight. Mayrose stepped up to hit a three-ball, making the deficit, 49-35, with 6:06 remaining.
The Hawks shot 46.2% from the field, and produced a 17-6 edge in bench scoring. Monmouth slowed the tempo for all 40 minutes, with the two teams combining for only eight fast break points.
Fairleigh Dickinson hosts Robert Morris University at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 24 in Hackensack, NJ.
