The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team came back from a ten-point deficit to defeat LIU Brooklyn, 71-65, Monday, Jan. 16 at the LIU Wellness Center in Brooklyn, NY.  With the win the Knights improve to 9-9 on the season with a 4-2 mark in Northeast Conference play.  LIU falls to 13-5 with a 2-4 conference record.

The Knights trailed 33-22 with seven minutes remaining in the first half before battling back.  FDU out-scored LIU, 13-7 in the final five minutes of the game to take the win, 71-65.

The Blackbirds jumped out to a 7-12 lead in the first five minutes and increased the lead to 10 points midway through the half.

FDU scored six unanswered points in the final minute on two made free throws by Erika Livermore and two made jump shots Mariyah Laury, including a layup at the buzzer.  At the break the Knights trailed by just three points, 35-38.

Two minutes into the second half, Laury tied the game at 42 on a traditional three-point play.  The Knights took a brief lead but could not take control of the game.

The lead changed 13 times during the first 15 minutes of the second half, with neither team taking more than a five-point lead at any time.

With five minutes remaining, Danielle Pankey tied the game at 58 on free-throw.  A layup from Ebony Davis gave the home team a one-point advantage with four minutes to play.

Livermore dominated the paint with 3:37 to go, putting up a layup that gave the Knights a 62-61 lead.

A three-point play by sophomore Desiree Crawford put FDU up four points, 65-61 with 2:42 to play. 

The Knights led 65-63 going into the final minute before Livermore took down a defensive rebound on the Blackbirds' chance to tie the game.  Livermore was fouled on the rebound and gave the Knights a four-point lead on two made free throws.

Davis made another clutch layup for LIU with 40 seconds to play, cutting the lead to two points, but Crawford came through with a jump shot for FDU with 19 seconds on the clock.  Crawford's basket gave the Knights a four-point lead with time for just one possession. 

Livermore sank two free throws for the Knights in the final three seconds to secure the win for FDU, 71-65. 

The Knights shot a season-high 47.2% from the field but were out-rebounded, 36-40.  Laury led the team with 25 points, while Livermore and Pankey added 16 and 15, respectively.  Livermore led the team with eight rebounds and eight-of-eight made free throws.  

"This was a tremendous road win against a very strong LIU team," said Head Coach Pete Cinella.  "LIU started the year 7-0 at home, so to come here in front of this down and come back to win is a great feeling for our team."

"Mariyah Laury was tremendous start to finish," Cinella added.  "Livermore had a great game, and Pankey was very aggressive when she attacked the basket today."

The Knights will host Saint Francis PA on Saturday, Jan. 21 in a rematch of the Dec. 3 loss in Loretto, PA.  Tip-off at Stratis Arena is slated for 4:30 pm as part of a men's/women's double-header.