Sophomore Mariyah Laury (Orange, NJ/Orange) led the Knights in scoring with a career-high 26 points.  She tied a career-high in field goals made with nine and made all three three-point attempts she took.  Junior Alyssa Mayrose (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) added 18 points and a team-high five rebounds.  She made a career-high eight field goal attempts.  Redshirt Sophomore Jasmyra Saunders (Trenton, NJ/Trenton Catholic) chipped in 12 points and had four steals.  Sophomore Amy Longo (Pittsburgh, PA/North Catholic) also had five rebounds to tie with Mayrose for the team lead.  Junior Jenna Strich dished out a career-high five assists to pace the Knights.

Longo's jumper from the right baseline put the Knights up 2-0.  After the Bulldogs scored the next four points, the Knights scored 19 unanswered points over a 6:11 span to go up 21-4.  The run started on a three-pointer from the right corner by Longo.  Saunders then stole the ball and converted a three-point play the old fashion way.  Laury knocked down a three-point jumper from the top of the key.  Saunders recorded her second steal and scored an easy layup.  Mayrose then knocked down a deep three from the top of the key. Saunders' third steal resulted in another coast to coast layup.   Laury then hit her second three-pointer from the top of the key to cap the run.

With the Knights up 25-11, Laury and Mayrose combined for thirteen more unanswered points to go up 38-11 with 3:36 to go in the half.  Bryant outscored the Knights, 7-6, the rest of the half, but FDU went into halftime with a 44-18 advantage.

Laury and Mayrose combined for 30 points in the first half to lead the Knights.  Laury scored 16 points on 5-8 shooting from the field.  She made both three-point attempts and connected on all four free throw attempts.  Mayrose scored 14 points on 6-8 shooting from the field.  She also knocked down two three-pointers.  Mayrose, Laury, and Longo each grabbed three rebounds in the first half to lead the team.  Defensively, Saunders had four steals in the first half.

The Knights large halftime lead was attributed to a great shooting and defense.  FDU shot 57 percent (17-30) from the field, including 71 percent (5-7), from three-point range.  The Knights held the Bulldogs to only 29 percent (7-24) from the field and forced 17 turnovers.  FDU scored 31 points off the Bulldogs' miscues.  The Knights also out-rebounded Bryant, 16-12, in the first half.

The Knights opened the second half with six straight points on two baskets by Laury and two free throws by Saunders.  FDU would take its largest lead of the game, 52-21, on a Laury layup with 17:52 to go in the game. 

Laury's three-pointer with 14:09 to go in the game gave her 25 points, which broke her previous career-high of 24 points. 

Bryant outscored the Knights, 38-32, in the second half.  FDU had its best shooting performance of the season, shooting 56 percent (30-54) from the field.  The Knights also connected on 50 percent (7-14) of their three-point attempts.  FDU also registered a season-high 16 steals and forced 25 turnovers, the second straight game the team has forced that many turnovers.  However, FDU was out-rebounded by the Bulldogs, 35-32.  Bryant shot only 34 percent (19-56) from the field. 

"Overall, it was a great team effort," said head coach Pete Cinella.  "The team had 40 minutes of intensity.  We really stepped up and played our best all-around game."

Kelsey O'Keefe led Bryant with 12 points and seven rebounds.  Meredith Soper and Lekia Cowen each chippped in 10 points a piece for the Bulldogs.

The Knights have a quick turnaround and return to action this Saturday, Jan. 9, at home for an NEC matchup versus Central Connecticut State.  Tip-off is slated for 5:00 p.m.