The Fairleigh Dickinson women's basketball team defeated Army, 52-43, during its home opener at the Stratis Arena in Hackensack, NJ on Saturday, November 20. With the win, the Knights' record improves to (2-1) while the Black Knights of Army fall to (1-2).
Junior Mariyah Laury (Orange, NJ/Orange) (Orange, NJ/Orange) started the game with a quick three-pointer. Red shirt freshman Danielle Pankey (Middletown, N.J./Middletown South) (Middletown, NJ/Middletown) knocked in two free-throws to give the Knights an early five-point lead.
Army's Laura Baranek added two points for the Black Knights before dishing out an assist to Senior captain Erin Anthony bringing the score to 5-4. Army went on to take a four-point lead off of a set of layups from Senior Jessie Coiffard and Anthony.
Sophomore Alannah Driscoll-Sbar (Northampton, MA/Northampton) (Northhampton, MA/Northhampton) nailed a three with 11 minutes left in the half to bring the score to 9-11. A steal from Laury set up Senior Kayla Killian (Cliffwood Beach, NJ/St. John Vianney) (Cliffwood Beach, NJ/St. John Vianney) for two points, tying the score at 11. A quick response from Army increased the pace of the game. Laury added another two jump shots to give the Knights a 19-16 lead at half time.
Laury led the Knights in the first half, adding eight points, two blocks and two steals.
Laury broke a three-minute silent streak from both teams, bringing the score to 21-16. As assist from senior Jordan Sykes (Avalon, NJ/Holy Spirit) (Avalon, NJ/Holy Spirit) landed Pankey another two points and the Knights a 25-16 lead. Sykes added two with 13 minutes remaining giving the Knights their first double-digit lead of the game.
Sophomore Liz Benedict added two points from the charity stripe before sophomore Anna Simmers ended a 15-minute field-goal drought for the Black Knights with a big three-pointer.
Junior Jasmyra Saunders (Trenton, NJ/Trenton Catholic) (Trenton, NJ/Trenton Catholic) responded for the Knights with a three-pointer, bringing the score to 30-23, in favor of FDU.
Two points from each of Army's senior captains Nalini Hawkins and Anthony helped the Black Knights inch within three points. Junior Meagan Doucette made one of two free-throws, giving FDU only a two-point advantage with eight minutes left in the game.
A big shot from beyond the arc gave Laury and the Knights another three points. Driscoll-Sbar added to that lead with another three-pointer just 20 sconds later. Pankey added two from the free-throw line, giving the Knights a ten-point advantage with 6:25 to go. Pankey increased the lead with a three-pointer, giving the Knights their biggest lead of the game.
Army responded with two points but Laury and Pankey were quick to retaliate for the Knights. With four minutes left in the game, the Knights led 45-30.
Laury weaved through a full-court press, adding to the Knights score with a three-point play. Army chipped away at the score during the final minutes of the game bringing their final tally to 43. FDU ended the game with 52 points.
The Knights were lead by Laury who finished with 22 points and four rebounds. Laury also had three steals, two blocks and five assists. Junior Esther Wallace (Springfield, MA/Springfield Central) (Springfield, MA/Springfield Central) had a team-high seven rebounds. Pankey added 11 points and six boards. Driscoll-Sbar tallied six points in her return to the line-up, while Saunders recorded five points, three rebounds and a block. Sykes rounded out the Knights line-up adding four points and three steals.
"Army is a well coached team with a lot of seniors in their line-up," said Head Coach Pete Cinella. "We had to be disciplines, take care of the basketball, and play defense. We followed the game plan, stepped up in the second half and found the open player."
The Knights are back in action on Tuesday November 23, when they host the Rams of Fordham University. Tip-off at The Stratis Arena is set for 7:00 pm.
