The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team dropped a heart-breaking loss to the Blue Devils of Central Connecticut State, 49-51, Saturday, Jan. 28 in New Britain, CT.  With the loss the Knights fall to 9-12 on the season with a 4-5 mark in Northeast Conference action, while the Blue Devils improve to 10-10, with a 4-5 record in the NEC.

After trailing by as many as 16 points in the first half, the Knights battled to cut the lead to single digits early in the second half.  With less than seven minutes to play, the Knights took their first lead of the day.  Central hit a two-point shot with 1.2 seconds on the clock to take the win. 

The Blue Devils scored took control of the game and compiled a quick three-point lead in the opening minutes of play.  Before the game was five minutes underway, CCSU string together a 10-point run to take a 12-2 lead.

The Knights were out-scored 9-1 midway through the half, enabling CCSU to take a game-high 16-point lead with 10 minutes remaining in the half. 

A traditional three-point play by freshman Erika Livermore (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth Area) stopped the Blue Devils momentum, with 8:47 to play.  Two points from five different FDU players, including fast-break layups by Mariyah Laury (Orange, NJ/Orange) and Mariah Nunes (Ajax, Ontario/Bill Crothers ), cut the lead to 10 points at the half.

FDU was out-rebounded, 16-27 in the first half and shot just 26.9% from the field.  The Blue Devils capitalized on 34.3% of their shots to hold the advantage at the break.

Torrie Childs (Trenton, N.J./Trenton Central) cut CCSU's lead to single-digits on a jump shot one minute into the second half.  Five points from Laury and two made free throws by Desiree Crawford (Aurora, Ontario/Cardinal Carter Catholic) brought the Knights within three points with 15 minutes left to play.

The Knights extended that streak to nine unanswered points and turned what was a lopsided contest in the first half into a one-point game.

The Blue Devils retaliated and reclaimed the advantage, 30-36, with 12 minutes on the clock. 

Danielle Pankey (Middletown, N.J./Middletown South) added three points for the Knights midway through the half before Livermore added a layup and Laury capitalized on an offensive rebound.  Laury's bucket gave the Knights their first lead of the day, 41-40 with 6:40 to play.

Central responded with a five-point run before Laury led the Knights with four unanswered points of her own.  With 1:14 to play the Knights were down two points.

Livermore was fouled on a layup attempt and tied the game at 49 with both shots made.  With 24.4 seconds to play, Central gained possession of the ball and called timeout.

The Knights pressured Central, making them pass the ball around the perimeter time wound down.  With 1.2 seconds on the clock, Lauren Arbogast, a sophomore forward took a jump shot just inside the three-point line.  Arbogast's shot was good to put CCSU up, 47-49 with minimal time remaining.

Head Coach Pete Cinella called his last timeout with 1.2 seconds left but the Knights were unable to get a shot off in the time that remained.

"We did a great job coming back to take the lead in the second half," said Cinella. "The team stepped up and made big shots down the stretch, but Central hit a tough shot to win it.  We need to have better starts."

Laury led the Knights with 15 points, while Livermore added 12 including six of seven free-throws.  Nunes led the team on the boards with seven, while Livermore added six.

The Knights shot 28.3% and grabbed 45 rebounds through 40 minutes. 

FDU continues the New England road trip with a Monday night contest at Bryant University.  Tip-off in Smithfield, RI is slated for 7:00 pm.