The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team picked up a 55-46 win over Saint Peter's in its fourth game in five days, Tuesday, Nov. 29 at Stratis Arena in Hackensack, NJ.  With the win the Knights improve to 3-5 on the season, while the Peahens fall to 0-4. 

A strong first half, including a 16-3 run in the final ten minutes, enabled the Knights to take their first win at home this season.

FDU and Saint Peter's traded baskets, and the lead, to start the contest.  Neither team held more than a five point lead through the first ten minutes.  With 11:20 to play in the half SPC hit a jumper to give them a 10-13 lead, but it would be short-lived.

The Knights stopped the Peahens from scoring on a field-goal from the 11:20 mark through the end of the first half.  With buckets from senior Mariyah Laury (Orange, NJ/Orange), freshman Erika Livermore (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth Area) and sophomore Danielle Pankey (Middletown, N.J./Middletown South), as well as two consecutive three-pointers from freshman Stephanie Isaacs (Fair Haven, N.J./Rumson-Fair Haven), the Knights went on a 16-3 run to end the half. 

At the break the Knights led 27-15.  FDU shot 34.4 percent from the field (11-for-32) in the first 20 minutes, while SPC made just 6-of-26 shots. 

The Peahens pressured the Knights to start the second half and slowly chipped away at the lead.  With 12 minutes remaining the Knights held onto a six-point lead.  A layup from Livermore with 10:30 to play helped FDU maintain the lead. 

With five minutes to play, the Peahens compiled a 9-0 run that included four free-throws.  The momentum helped SPC come within three points with just two minutes to play.

Laury hit two jump shots between the 1:50 and 1:15 marks to secure the lead for the Knights before two made free-throws from Livermore with 16 seconds put the Knights up 55-46.

“When we needed Mariyah, she stepped up and made back-to-back field goals to help us finish the game,” said Head Coach Pete Cinella. 

FDU had three double-digit scorers help lead the team to victory.  Laury had 14 points with four assists and two steals, while Pankey added 13 points.  Both had six rebounds.

Livermore recorded her second double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while sophomore Desiree Crawford (Aurora, Ontario/Cardinal Carter Catholic) led the team defensively.  Behind a stellar second half, Crawford recorded seven points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks.  All three performances were career-highs for Crawford.

The Knights shot 38.2 percent from the floor and out-rebounded the Peahens 49-41. 

FDU is back in action Saturday, Dec. 3 and Monday, Dec. 5 against Northeast Conference opponents, Saint Francis PA and Robert Morris.  Tip-off in Loretto, PA is slated for 2:00 pm on Saturday.