The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team opened Northeast Conference play with a win over Bryant University, 58-48, Thursday Night at the Stratis Arena, in Hackensack, NJ. With the win the Knights improve to 5-4 on the season, 1-0 in conference play. The Bulldogs of Bryant fall to 1-7 on the season, 0-1 in the NEC.
The Bulldogs won the opening tip but after a series of turnovers, Erica McKeithan (Newport News, VA/Heritage) (Newport News, VA/Heritage) put the first points of game on the board. Bryant junior Brittany Stahura responded for with layup, tying the game at two.
After a short battle for the lead, the Bulldogs took advantage of the Knights' low shooting percentage and progressed to a 12-4 lead. Junior Amy Longo (Pittsburgh, PA/North Catholic) (Pittsburg, PA/North Catholic) brings the Knights within reach with a big three-pointer. With 11 minutes remaining the Bulldogs led 12-7.
Alannah Driscoll-Sbar (Northampton, MA/Northampton) (Northhampton, MA/Northhampton) followed suit with a three, cutting Bryant's lead to two points. A Bryant shot clock violation gave the Knights another possession and after an Alyssa Mayrose (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) three pointer, the Knights were on top, 13-12.
The Knights pulled away with a lead with help from six points each from Mayrose and Driscoll-Sbar and two more from Laury. With 2:30 remaining in the half, FDU held the advantage 24-16.
Led by 11 points from Laury, six from Mayrose and Driscoll-Sbar, and five blocks from junior Esther Wallace (Springfield, MA/Springfield Central) (Springfield, MA/Springfield Central) the Knights went into the break with a 31-21 lead.
The second half started with a string of points from Bryant sophomores Danielle Douglas and Meredith Soper. Douglas and Soper each added four points to bring the Bulldogs back in the game. With 11:37 remaining, the score was tied, 34-34.
A three-pointer from Driscoll-Sbar helped the Knights take the momentum. Shots from Laury, Longo and Mayrose helped FDU take the lead back. The Knights held the advantage, 52-44 with 2:28 to go.
Mayrose ended the game going five-for-six from the charity stripe to give the Knights the ultimate lead of 58-28.
The Knights were led by Mayrose who totaled 14 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes of play for her second double-double of the season. Laury added 18 points to lead the Knights on offense while Wallace grabbed six rebounds and had a career-high seven blocks. Longo had a career-high 9 points off the bench.
"It was a big conference win with a great overall team effort," said Head Coach Pete Cinella. "We achieved our goal of holding them to under 50 points."
"Mayrose had a great night off the bench with 14 points and 10 rebounds, Laury helped our offense with 18 points and Esther Wallace (Springfield, MA/Springfield Central) really controlled the paint with 7 great blocks," Cinella added.
The Knights are back in action on Sunday when they travel to nearby Jersey City to take on the Peahens of St. Peter's. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 pm.
