The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team was stunned by a late second half charge courtesy of visiting Central Connecticut State University, Monday, Feb. 16 in Hackensack, NJ. The Knights were defeated, 71-69, despite their starting backcourt pouring in 56 points.
On a night where freshman guard Mariyah Laury (Orange, NJ/Orange) (Orange, NJ) tallied a double-digit scoring output for the seventh-straight occasion, Fairleigh Dickinson was unable to wrap-up its sixth-consecutive Northeast Conference decision and grasp sole ownership of third place in the 11-team league. After capitalizing for 16 points off turnovers, FDU ultimately slid to 9-16 overall and 8-7 in the Northeast Conference.
Laury posted a pair of career-highs at the free throw line, going 8-for-10. The freshman also dished out a career-best five assists, while registering a game-high 23 points. Meanwhile, sophomore guard Alyssa Mayrose (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) (Freehold, NJ) garnered her second-straight double-double ? and fourth of the year ? contributing 22 points and a game-best 11 boards, coupled with four dimes. Junior guard Jordan Sykes (Avalon, NJ/Holy Spirit) (Avalon, NJ) chipped-in 11 points and four feeders.
The Blue Devils (16-9 overall, 11-3 NEC) rode a 44-30 stronghold on the glass to victory. Head Coach Beryl Piper's unit held a 10-point cushion in both points in the paint and bench scoring. Representing the NEC's second-place squad, CCSU had four student-athletes record double-figure scoring totals, while compiling 13 second chance points.
Central Connecticut freshman guard Shontice Simmons (Fort Washington, MD) provided the spark, notching 15 points and six assists. Sophomore forward Kerrianne Dugan (Waterford, CT) put forth nine points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.
Junior forward Justina Udenze (Hamden, CT) collected a double-double of 12 points and 10 boards, with sophomore forward Leanne Crockett (Manchester, CT) adding 14 points and nine rips. Freshman forward Gabrielle Oglesby (Hamden, CT) quietly scored 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting.
“It was a great effort by both teams, giving it everything they had,” Head Coach Peter Cinella said. “Tonight was one of our best, all-around offensive games. Central Connecticut just had an answer for everything we threw at them on the defensive end.”
Laury opened the evening's scoring with a pull-up from the left baseline. On the next trip down the floor, Mayrose grabbed an offensive rebound and kicked out to Sykes, who drained a wide open three-pointer.
CCSU senior guard Jhanay Harris (New Rochelle, NY) hop-stepped then pivoted on the left block to cap a 6-0 response by the visitors. Laury went to same location as her first bucket and struck again, as FDU regained the lead, 7-6, with 14:37 remaining.
Mayrose halted an 8-0 run with four-straight at the line. A scoop shot courtesy of junior forward Christy Altamirano (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) (Bayonne, NJ) made it an 18-13 hole at the 10:29 mark. Minutes later, senior center Shenika Chang (New York, NY/Park West) (New York, NY) posted up her defender on the right block, but Crockett answered with an uncontested trey.
A dish from Laury allowed for a three-ball from Mayrose, and the count stood at 29-26 in favor of Central Connecticut with 5:20 left. The Blue Devils collected back-to-back baskets when Laury swished an effort from downtown.
The Knights concluded the half on an 8-0 push. Laury rolled home an off-balanced attempt and Sykes nailed a jumper from the right elbow. Sykes found Altamirano unguarded in the post for an easy deuce, and Mayrose burst through the paint for a bucket. Fairleigh Dickinson owned a 37-35 halftime advantage, limiting CCSU to one field goal over the final 4:10.
By the break, Laury scored 13 points, with Mayrose adding 11 points and six rebounds. Crockett countered with seven points and six boards, while Simmons dished out six assists, flanked by five points.
Four points from Laury opened up a 41-36 gap just over two minutes into the second half. Mayrose stepped back behind the arc, then freshman forward Amy Longo (Pittsburgh, PA/North Catholic) (Pittsburgh, PA) canned a trifecta from the left wing to maintain a five-point command, 47-42, with 16:04 on the clock.
On the ensuing possession, the Knights took a seven-point lead when Mayrose launched a pass over the defense to a streaking Laury, who finished with a lay-in. However, Crockett connected from deep, as the Blue Devils sliced things to a two-possession contest.
Both teams failed to notch a field goal for a span of 4:15. Chang pushed a pass out to the perimeter where Sykes used a ball fake to yield a long spot up for two. The following trip down the hardwood, Laury sent a line drive pass through traffic, but found Mayrose for backdoor lay-up. Fairleigh Dickinson held strong, 59-51, at the 8:14 mark.
Simmons cut into a nine-point deficit ? Central Connecticut's largest hole of the night ? with a three-ball, and then rattled home a runner in the lane. Udenze punctuated an 11-0 outburst with a bank shot in the paint.
Mayrose broke FDU out of a 3:55 scoring drought with a three-pointer. With 3:04 remaining, the Knights had quickly regained a 63-62 edge on the strength of the swing guard's third long-range effort of the game.
Dugan nailed a three, and Laury responded with a long two. Udenze worked her way inside for a hoop and a three-point, Blue Devils' hold, 70-67, with less than one minute remaining.
With two seconds left, a left-handed attempt by Sykes rolled off the front of the rim and ended the game. Central Connecticut sealed its comeback over the final 6:50 of regulation on a 20-9 surge.
During the game, FDU joined a nationwide effort in the fight against breast cancer, participating in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Pink Zone? initiative. The program represents a unified effort for WBCA coaches to assist in raising breast cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, and in communities. All ticket proceeds the evening were donated to the Gilda's Club of Northern New Jersey.
FDU wraps-up its non-conference slate at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 21. The Knights travel to Smithfield, RI, to take on Bryant University.
