The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team fell to Garden State rival, Monmouth University, 59-54, on Saturday, February 12. With the loss, the Knights drop to 12-12 (5-8 NEC) while the Hawks improve to 16-8 (8-5 NEC).
The Northeast Conference Rivalry week game saw seven lead changes and six double-figure scorers. The Knights has an excellent game statistically, out-shooting the Hawks 38 percent (19-for-50) to 35.7 percent (20-for-56) and out-rebounding them 38 to 37, but were unable to take the lead in the final minutes of the game.
The Knights took a quick 5-0 lead on baskets from senior Alyssa Mayrose (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) and Esther Wallace (Springfield, MA/Springfield Central) (Springfield, MA/Springfield) to start the game but were met with retaliation from the Hawks. Monmouth scored seven unanswered points to take the lead and maintained it through the half.
FDU kept the deficit to a minimum, responding to all of Monmouth's points until the final five minutes of the half. With 4:59 remaining, Monmouth took a seven point lead and looked as if they might maintain it.
The Knights were able to rally with points from Mayrose and junior Mariyah Laury (Orange, NJ/Orange) (Orange, NJ/Orange). With 1:49 left in the half the Knights tied the game at 26. Monmouth responded with a three-pointer with just seconds to go but Laury raced down the court for a buzzer beating layup, bringing the Knights within one point at the half.
Wallace began play with a quick layup, giving the Knights a 30-29 lead just 15 seconds into the second half. Monmouth reclaimed the lead on a three-pointer from Alexis Canady and never looked back.
The Knights came close on several occasions, tying the score twice, but were unable to take the lead. With five minutes left in the game, the Hawks took an eight point advantage, 45-53.
The final two minutes became a battle for possession. With 58 seconds remaining, Laury nailed a quick jumper to bring the Knights within two, 54-56. After one made free-throw from Monmouth made the score 54-57, the Knights has possession and called timeout with 21 seconds to go.
FDU's final three-point attempt was blocked with 13 seconds remaining. The Hawks scored one last layup to bring the final score to 54-59.
The Knights' scoring effort was led by 14 points from Mayrose. Mayrose also grabbed nine rebounds and had two blocks. Wallace recorded her first double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Laury added 13 points for the Knights, while redshirt freshman Danielle Pankey (Middletown, N.J./Middletown South) (Middletown, NJ/Middletown) also had 10.
The Knights and Hawks take one day off before a rematch is schedule in Long Branch, NJ. The Garden State Rivalry Series will resume in a 7:00 pm tip-off at The MAC.
