The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team was bested by Saint Francis University (PA), 78-61, Monday, Jan. 26 on its home hardwood in Hackensack, NJ.  The Knights closed the evening by out-scoring SFU, 16-7.

The outcome extended the squad's seven-game losing skid, moving FDU to 4-14 overall and 3-6 in the Northeast Conference.  Junior forward Christy Altamirano (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) (Bayonne, NJ) recorded a game-high 22 points, complemented by nine rebounds, and a matched career-high of three blocks.

Junior guard Jordan Sykes (Avalon, NJ/Holy Spirit) (Avalon, NJ) equaled her season-high of 17 points, in addition to dropping five dimes, and pocketing three ball handlers.  Sophomore guard Alyssa Mayrose (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) (Freehold, NJ) added 10 points and nine boards ? falling one rip short of her first career double-double for the third time this year.  Sykes splashed home a career-high four three-pointers, with Mayrose providing four assists.

The Red Flash (6-13 overall, 5-4 NEC) registered its third-consecutive league victory on the strength of 41 first half points (48.5% from the field).   Guard Samantha Leach (Mount Sterling, OH) highlighted the NEC's lone offense where four players average double-digit scoring totals.  The sophomore entered averaging over 12 points a night, and finished with a team-high 20, while also distributing a game-best seven assists.

Junior center Janie Killian (Verona, PA) posted a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds, while freshman guard Quinessa Johnson (West Chester, OH) fell a point shy of her career-high, netting 13 points.  Freshman guard Brittany Lilley (Saverna Park, MD) collected 11 points and sophomore guard Allison Daly (Harrisburg, PA) chipped-in 10 points.

“Saint Francis came in and played a good game,” Head Coach Peter Cinella said.  “We need to play better and look to improve.”

SFPA scored two quick baskets, before Altamirano backed down a defender on the right block.  However, the visitors answered with 11-straight; capitalizing on five-of-six trips down the floor.

Mayrose halted a 3:21 scoreless drought by slicing her way to the rack, en route to a 15-4 deficit with 15:45 remaining.  An 11-2 Red Flash run ensued ? and resulted in a 20-point margin ? capped by a baseline jumper courtesy of Lilley

Sykes found Mayrose for a backdoor lay-in and the hole stood at 26-8 at the 11:40 mark.  The pace slowed both ways when Altamirano connected on the three-ball from the left wing, backed by a trey from Mayrose.  Following an offensive rebound, Sykes jacked up a triple from 30 feet as the shot clock buzzed, en route to forcing a 34-19 count with 4:43 left.

Fairleigh Dickinson hit the break, down 16, after SFU grabbed a 22-6 edge on point in the paint, coupled with 18 points off turnovers.  Altamirano notched nine points, while Mayrose amassed seven points and five rebounds.  Leach was 3-of-3 from the field and perfect at the line (4-4) to lead Saint Francis with 10 points.

The second stanza opened with a conversion from downtown by Sykes, but the Red Flash stung together four-consecutive hoops.  Sykes accepted a kick-out from Altamirano and drained a trifecta, making it 51-33 with 16:44 remaining.

Freshman Erica McKeithan (Newport News, VA/Heritage) (Newport News, VA) pulled the string on a 12-foot J, as the Knights drew to 59-38.  However, SFPA rebutted with an 8-0 push to open up its largest lead of the night at 29 points, 67-38.  A three courtesy of Altamirano would cap an answer of five-straight by FDU.

The aforementioned late frenzy was kick-started by freshman guard Mariyah Laury (Orange, NJ/Orange) (Orange, NJ) pushed it ahead to Mayrose who ultimately made good on an old-fashioned three-point play to leave it a 71-50 contest with 5:43 left.

Fairleigh Dickinson hosts St. Francis College (NY) at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 31 at Stratis Arena in the Rothman Center. The contest ? the first half of a women's/men's doubleheader ? represents the Knights' last game of a season-long, five-game home stand.