The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team lost its Northeast Conference season opener versus Sacred Heart, 64-48, at Stratis Arena in the Rothman Center in Hackensack, NJ on Saturday afternoon. The Knights fall to 2-5 (0-1 NEC) on the season, while the Pioneers improve to 4-3 (1-0 NEC) overall.
Mariyah Laury (Orange, NJ/Orange) led the team with 22 points. Alyssa Mayrose (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) chipped in 11 points and grabbed five rebounds to lead the Knights.
Sacred Heart scored the game's first seven points before the Knights' Laury knocked down a jumper. Her basket triggered a 12-2 run for FDU, and the Knights took their first lead of the game at 12-9 on Jenna Strich's three-pointer.
Sacred Heart answered with its own run, keyed by defensive pressure and the inside play of Callan Taylor. The Pioneers out-scored FDU the rest of the half, 26-7, to take a 35-19 lead at intermission.
The Pioneers shot 50 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Knights, 19-14. The Knights shot 26 percent from the field and turned the ball over 12 times.
In the second half, Sacred Heart started right back up where they ended the first half. The Pioneers' stretched their lead to 26 points midway through the second half. The Knights were able to make to cut into the lead asLaury scored 17 second half points for FDU.
The Knights finished the game shooting 36 percent from the field and were out-rebounded 36-26. The Knights turned the ball over 22 times but forced 20 turnovers by the Pioneers.
"Sacred Heart is a very good team," said Head Coach Pete Cinella. "They shoot the ball great. We have to improve our overall shooting ability and rebounding."
Taylor led three Pioneers in double figures with 18 points. Alisa Apo added 16 points and Maggie Cosgrove chipped in 12 points.
The Knights are back in action at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at home versus Lafayette.
