Led by a Fairleigh Dickinson program-record 42 points from senior Mariyah Laury (Orange, NJ/Orange), the FDU women's basketball team defeated Monmouth, 72-64, Saturday, Feb. 11 at the MAC in West Long Branch, NJ.  The Knights improve to 12-13 on the season with a 7-6 record in Northeast Conference play.  The Hawks drop to 13-11 on the season with an 8-5 mark in conference.

Laury went 16-for-28 from the field and 10-for-12 from the free-throw line to help the Knights knock off the Garden-State foe in the NEC Rivalry Week contest. 

The Hawks took a quick four-point lead on two-consecutive three pointers in the opening minutes before layups by Danielle Pankey (Middletown, N.J./Middletown South) and Erika Livermore (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth Area) tied the game at eight with 16 minutes to play. 

With eight points from Laury, the Knights out-scored the Hawks, 10-4 to take a six-point lead midway through the half.  Monmouth cut the lead to just two points with seven minutes to play before Laury added another eight points in the final minutes of the half.

At the break, the Knights led Monmouth, 30-26.

Laury led the Knights' offensive charge in the first half with 20 points.  She went 8-for-13 from the field and dished out three assists, while shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe. 

Sophomore Desiree Crawford (Aurora, Ontario/Cardinal Carter Catholic) led the team with six rebounds and two blocks to help the Knights hold Monmouth to a 33.3 shooting percentage.  The Knights went 13-for-30 for a 43.3 shooting percentage.

FDU began the second half with a 13-2 run, while holding Monmouth to no field goals in the first six minutes.  The Knights had extended their lead to 43-28 by the 14 minute mark. 

Midway through the half, Monmouth cut the lead to single digits on a fast-break layup by Alysha Womack.  The Knights stayed consistent from the free-throw line to maintain their lead. 

In the final five minutes, Monmouth's offense surged to produce a seven-point run that cut the FDU advantage to five points, 60-55, with two minutes on the clock. 

Laury sealed the win for the Knights with three made free throws and two fast-break layups in the final two minutes of play.

With 42 points from Laury, the Knights defeated their in-state rival, 72-64.

Laury's point total breaks the FDU program record that she set last year at Wagner with 38 points.  It also ties her for third in the all-time NEC record books, and breaks the woman's arena record at the Monmouth MAC. 

Pankey and Livermore also scored double figures for FDU, with 14 and 10 points, respectively.  Crawford led FDU on the boards with 12.

The Knights finished the game with a 43.3 shooting percentage, while holding Monmouth to 36.9 percent.  They out-rebounded the Hawks, 44-41 and forced 23 turnovers for 21 points. 

Monmouth and FDU will face each other again on Wednesday, Feb. 15 in Hackensack, NJ.  The game will conclude NEC Rivalry Week.