The Fairleigh Dickinson women's was defeated at home, 62-56, for the first time this season by the Rams of Fordham University Tuesday night at Stratis Arena in Hackensack, NJ. With the loss, the Knights fall to 2-2 overall, while the Rams improve to 4-1. The Knights were led by a standout performance from red shirt freshman Danielle Pankey (Middletown, N.J./Middletown South) (Middletown, NJ/Middletown) who scores 20 points and grabbed four rebounds in 33 minutes played.
Pankey scored the first points of the game making the score 2-0 in favor of the Knights to start. The Rams evened the score on two made free-throws from junior Becky Peters. FDU was called on a shot-clock violation two minutes into the game, giving Fordham another possession. Three minutes into the contest, Fordham took a 6-2 lead on a set of layups from senior Caitlin Shadbolt and senior Kristina Bell.
A steal and a layup from junior Jasmyra Saunders (Trenton, NJ/Trenton Catholic) (Trenton, NJ/Trenton Catholic) brought the score to 4-6 in favor of Fordham. Senior captain Jordan Sykes (Avalon, NJ/Holy Spirit) (Avalon, NJ/Holy Spirit) tied the game on a long jumper with 14 minutes to go in the half.
The next minute and a half saw four lead changes concluding with a jumper from Fordham senior Tiffany Stokes that gave the Rams a 10-9 lead. A three from Atlantic-Ten Rookie of the Week Abigail Corning brought the lead to 12-9.
The Rams took an eight-point lead with five minutes remaining in the half. A shot from beyond the arc from sophomore Alannah Driscoll-Sbar (Northampton, MA/Northampton) (Northhampton, MA/Northhampton) brought the Knights within five points with 5:11 remaining in the half.
Once again, the Rams were quick to respond, adding four more to their total. With 3:30 left in the half, junior Mariyah Laury (Orange, NJ/Orange) (Orange, NJ/Orange) made two free-throws, cutting the Rams' lead back to eight points and bringing her career total to 1,000. Laury became the 14th 1,000th point scorer in FDU women's basketball history.
Fordham went into the break with a 30-23 advantage after senior Kyara Weekes and Peters scores eight points apiece in the half.
Fordham increased its lead by four points to start the half before Saunders added two for the Knights. Laury went 2-for-2 from the charity stripe, bringing the score to 33-27. Caitlin Shabolt brought Fordham's total to 35 before Pankey added two points from the line and a three-pointer to bring the Knights within three points.
Laury added another two points from the line, cutting the lead to one point.
Sykes followed each of Fordham's next three baskets with one of her own, tallying six points in two minutes. With 10 minutes remaining in the game, the Rams led 41-40.
The Rams took a seven point lead on five quick points from Peters and a three-pointer from Charlotte Stoddart.
Weekes broke open the score for Fordham, adding five points in three minutes but Pankey and Laury, the Northeast Conference Rookie and Player of the Week, exchanged buckets combining for seven points in those same three minutes. With 2:36 remaining Pankey sank two free-throws to bring the score to 53-50.
Desiree Crawford (Aurora, Ontario/Cardinal Carter Catholic) was fouled with two minutes remaining; Crawford made one-of-two shots from the line, bringing the Knights within two. The late effort from the Knights was not enough as Peters made another three with 1:46 remaining before going 5-for-6 in free-throws to end the game.
"Fordham stepped up and made big shots," said Head Coach Pete Cinella. "We did a good job taking care of the ball but we need to play better overall defense for 40 minutes."
The Knights are back in action after the holiday, hosting Rider University on Monday, November 29. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
