The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team accumulated its highest point total of the season to defeat Columbia, 71-51, Wednesday, Dec. 28 at Stratis Arena in Hackensack, NJ.  The Knights improve to 5-8 on the season, while the Lions drop to 1-10. 

Erika Livermore (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth Area) led the Knights with a brilliant performance on offense and defense.  Livermore recorded 24 points and 15 rebounds in just 24 minutes of play.  She set a new career high in both categories.  The freshman went 10-for-13 from the field and 4-for-5 from the charity stripe.   

The Knights and Lions traded baskets in the opening minutes before a traditional three-point play from Livermore gave FDU its first lead, 7-6, with 15 minutes to play.  A 15-2 run midway through the half gave the Knights a 13-point lead with nine minutes remaining in the half.

Sophomore Desiree Crawford (Aurora, Ontario/Cardinal Carter Catholic) sparked the Knights' largest lead of the half with two consecutive steals within 11 seconds of each other.  Both were on in-bounds plays.  Crawford converted both steals to layups and added a fifth point on a three-point play to put FDU up, 32-12 with six minutes to play.

In the final minutes of the half, the Lions responded with 11 unanswered points.  The Knights cut the Columbia attack before they could cut the deficit to single digits.  At the break FDU led, 36-26.

Danielle Pankey (Middletown, N.J./Middletown South) started the second half with five points before Crawford extended the lead to 13 points on a jump shot. The Knights continued to build the lead with sharp shooting and strong rebounding.

After the Knights extended their lead to a game-high 24 points, Columbia concluded the game on a 6-2 run to cut the final score to 71-51. 

Livermore led FDU's scoring attack, while Pankey put up 12 points.  Crawford and Mariyah Laury (Orange, NJ/Orange) added nine and eight, respectively. 

The Knights out-rebounded the Lions, 55-36 with help from Livermore's 15 boards.  FDU scored 30 points off Columbia's 21 turnovers and had 22 second-chance points. 

“It was a great overall team effort today,” said Head Coach Pete Cinella.  “With help from Livermore we really dominated the boards, and Pankey made great shots to help us extend the lead to double digits.”

For the second consecutive game, the Knights topped their season best in several statistical categories.  FDU went 29-for-71 from the field, grabbed 55 rebounds and recorded 13 steals en route to the 20-point victory.

The Knights take a short break before hosting the Bison of Howard University on Friday, Dec. 30.  Tip-off at Stratis Arena is scheduled for 7:00 pm.