The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team will conclude 2011 with a home contest against the Bison of Howard University on Friday, Dec. 30. Tip-off at Stratis Arena is set for 7:00 pm.
The Knights take just one day of rest before facing Howard. On Wednesday the Knights accumulated their highest point total to defeat Columbia, 71-51 and improve to 5-8 on the season. FDU was led by freshman Erika Livermore (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth Area), who had 24 points and 14 rebounds in just 24 minutes. The NEC Rookie of the Week went 10-for-13 from the floor.
On the season, senior Mariyah Laury (Orange, NJ/Orange) has led the Knights' scoring attack. Laury paces the squad with 14.5 points per game, while Danielle Pankey (Middletown, N.J./Middletown South) and Livermore add 10.3 and 8.1, respectively.
Livermore is currently leading the team with 6.3 rebounds per game, while senior Esther Wallace (Springfield, MA/Springfield Central) has notched 6.0 rebounds per game with 13 blocks on the season.
The Knights average 54.1 points per game with 41.2 rebounds per game. They grabbed a season-high 55 rebounds against Columbia on Wednesday.
The Bison extended their win streak to six games with a victory over Seton Hall on Wednesday. They are 7-5 on the season.
Behind two stellar shooters Howard has averaged 57.4 points per game this season. Tamoria Holmes has produced 18.5 points per game this season, while Saadie Doyle adds an average of 16.6. Both players scored over 20 points at Seton Hall.
Howard and FDU both defeated the only similar opponent they have faced this year. The Bison defeated Buffalo, 81-57 on December 20; the Knights took down Buffalo at the UConn World Vision Classic on November 27.
The series with Howard dates back to 1981, with five matchups. The Bison took the first-ever win before FDU earned four-consecutive wins.
In last year's contest in Washington, D.C., the Knights pulled out a 45-44 win with help from a three-pointer late in the game from Laury.
The game against Howard will conclude non-conference play for the Knights. They will resume Northeast Conference action on Jan. 7 against Mount St. Mary's.
