The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team defeated Robert Morris University, 79-76, in their home finale on Monday, February 21 at Stratis Arena in Hackensack, NJ. With the win the Knights improve to 14-13 on the season and 7-9 in the Northeast Conference. Second-ranked NEC team, Robert Morris, falls to 13-13 on the season, 10-6 in the conference.
The Knights went into the game seeking retaliation against Robert Morris as they had been defeated by the Colonials 12 times in the last seven years. Behind 24 points from junior Mariyah Laury (Orange, NJ/Orange) (Orange, NJ/Orange) the Knights challenged the Colonials and came out with the win.
FDU seniors Tara Kelly (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central), Kayla Killian (Cliffwood Beach, NJ/St. John Vianney) (Cliffwood Beach, NJ/St. John Vianney), Alyssa Mayrose (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) and Jordan Sykes (Avalon, NJ/Holy Spirit) (Avalon, NJ/Holy Spirit) were honored before the game.
The first half was a fast-paced, quick scoring match-up that saw the score tied on six occasions. Each team quickly responded to the opponent's baskets so that neither team led by more than five points through the first 12 minutes of play.
With eight minutes remaining in the first half the Knights went on a 7-0 run to take the lead, 26-19. Robert Morris continued to score but could not make up for the deficit. The Knights increased their lead to 11 points (36-25) with four minutes remaining by capitalizing off of Colonial turnovers.
Although RMU cut the lead to six points, junior Jasmyra Saunders (Trenton, NJ/Trenton Catholic) (Trenton, NJ/Trenton Catholic) grabbed two steals that turned into fast-break layups in the final 35 seconds of the half. The Knights went into the break with the advantage, 44-32.
Saunders led the Knights' scoring in the first 20 minutes with 12 points. She also recorded five steals and one assist. Laury added nine points for the Knights who shot 47.5 percent (19-for-40) from the field.
The Knights outshot the Colonials, who went 12-for-30 from the field (40 percent) and forced 16 turnovers. They allowed just seven turnovers in the first half.
FDU continued their impressive shooting as the second half began. Eight minutes into play they increased their lead to 23 points, 64-41.
Midway through the half the Colonials pick up their shooting percentage. Over a ten minute period RMU out-scored FDU 27 to 10 to cut the lead to just six points.
With 44 seconds left to play, RMU freshman Artemis Spanou nailed a three-pointer to bring the Colonials within five points.
Just 15 seconds later RMU cut the lead to three points on a layup off a Knight turnover. With 26 seconds to go Mayrose sank two free-throws to put the Knights back up five points. RMU responded quickly, bringing the score to 78-76 on a three-pointer with 12 seconds to go.
FDU red-shirt freshman Danielle Pankey (Middletown, N.J./Middletown South) (Middletown, NJ/Middletown South) made one final free-throw to put the Knights up three points. The Colonials shot attempt was off, leaving the Knights with the final possession with three ticks left on the board.
The Knights took their first victory over Robert Morris since February of 2004, 79-76.
FDU was led by Laury who totaled 24 points, four assists and three steals. Saunders added 12 for the Knights while Pankey had 11. Mayrose led all seniors with 10 points and seven rebounds. Kelly and Sykes each added six points.
Spanou led the Colonials with 28 points and 11 rebounds. She also had seven turnovers.
The Knights return to action on Saturday, February 26 when they travel to Quinnipiac to take on the Bobcats. Tip-off in Hamden, CT is slated for noon.
