The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team will host the Lions of Columbia University on Wednesday, Dec. 28 at the Stratis Arena in Hackensack, NJ. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 pm.
The Knights are 4-8 on the season after recording a loss against Rider on the 22nd. Although the Knights saw the losing end of a one-point game against, they produced one of their best statistical games of the season. The Knights were led by 20 points from senior Mariyah Laury (Orange, NJ/Orange) and shot 43.4 percent from the field.
Danielle Pankey (Middletown, N.J./Middletown South) added 15 points for FDU and recorded a career-high six assists. Freshmen Stephanie Isaacs (Fair Haven, N.J./Rumson-Fair Haven) and Erika Livermore (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth Area) each had 11 points for FDU.
The Knights made 29 of 67 field goals and out-rebounded the Broncs, 42-39.
The Lions of Columbia are 1-9 on the year with losses to Northeast Conference opponents Sacred Heart, Wagner, St. Francis NY and Long Island. The Lions' lone victory was over Army, 63-58 on November 27.
Columbia averages 49.7 points per game and has allowed 59.7 points in games thus far. Melissa Shafer leads the Lions with 10.0 points per game, while Tyler Simpson and Taylor Ward add 8.2 and 8.6, respectively.
The series between FDU and Columbia dates back to 1990 and has seen the teams meet on ten occasions. Each team has taken the 'W' five times with the Knights earning the win in last year's meeting. The last time Columbia won was December 2, 1997.
Laury led the Knights in last year's meeting with 27 points. Pankey added 11 to held the Knights earn their first victory of the 2010-11 season. Pankey's performance earned her NEC Rookie of the Week honors.
