The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team was defeated by Fordham University on Tuesday night, 76-60, at Rose Hill Gym in Bronx, NY. The Rams improve to 2-2 on the season, while the Knights fall to 2-3 overall.
Mariyah Laury (Orange, NJ/Orange) scored 22 points for the second game in a row to lead the Knights. Jordan Sykes (Avalon, NJ/Holy Spirit) added 17 points for FDU while Alyssa Mayrose (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) chipped in 10 points. Esther Wallace and Jenna Strich each had four rebounds to pace the Knights on the glass.
The Knights jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead on two layups from Sykes and a Mayrose jumper before Fordham answered with a 15-2 run over a six minute span to take a 17-9 lead. The Rams' lead would expand to as high as 14 points with one minute to go before halftime. Mayrose's fourth bucket of the half sent the Knights into the locker room at the break down 35-23.
Mayrose led the Knights in the first half with eight points and three rebounds. Sykes added six points and three assists. Fordham outrebounded the Knights 17-11 and forced FDU into 12 first half turnovers. However, the Knights did shoot 50 percent in the first half and held the Rams to 45 percent shooting.
The two teams played almost even against each other in the second half as Fordham outscored FDU by 4 points. The Knights were never able to cut the deficit below 12.
The Knights had their best peformance of the young season from the field as they connected on 53 percent of their shots (20-38). Laury also set new career highs in free throws attempted and free throws made (12-15), eclipsing the old marks that were set during the second game of the season versus Howard.
Randall Hurst led three Rams in double-digits, as she scored 18 points. Katie Vican added 17 points and Kristina Bell had 12.
The Knights are back in action at 7:00 p.m. next Wednesday, Dec. 2 against Army in West Point, NY.
