The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team fell to Monmouth University, 60-64, in the final game of Northeast Conference Rivalry week.  With the loss, the Knights drop to 12-14 on the season with a 7-7 NEC record.  The Hawks improve to 14-11, with a 9-5 conference mark.

After trailing by six at the break, 17 second-half points from freshman Erika Livermore (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth Area) helped the Knights out-scored Monmouth, 39-37 in the second half.  FDU fought hard to take the lead in the final minutes of the game, but the Hawks went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line to seal the win.

 The Monmouth victory secured ownership of the Governor Codey Trophy for the 2011-12 season.  The Codey Trophy is awarded to the winner of the annual NEC Rivalry Week series between the Garden-State foes.

The Hawks took a seven-point lead in the opening minutes of the game with four-consecutive jump shots.  A seven-point run fueled by Mariyah Laury (Orange, NJ/Orange) and Desiree Crawford (Aurora, Ontario/Cardinal Carter Catholic) tied the game at 13 midway through the half.

FDU and Monmouth traded baskets through the next eight minutes of play, with neither team taking more than a four-point lead.  In the final four minutes of the half, Monmouth out-scored FDU, 8-0 to take a 21-27 lead at the break.

The Knights were out-shot, 33.3 to 29.0 percent and out-rebounded, 24-21 in the first 20 minutes.  

Monmouth maintained a five-point lead throughout the beginning of the second half.  The Knights were able to cut the deficit to two points on three occasions but they could not take the lead.  A seven-point run midway through the half gave the Hawks their largest lead of the game, 37-46, with 8:27 to play.

With five minutes on the clock, Monmouth held an eight-point advantage.  Livermore converted two consecutive offensive rebounds to bring the Knights within four points with four minutes to play.

After trading baskets, Livermore brought the game within reach on a traditional three-point play for FDU.  The free-throw made the score 54-57 with 1:52 remaining.

Monmouth sank a three-pointer with 57 seconds to play to bring the lead to six points.  Laury and Livermore added six more points on layups in the final minute to give the Knights a chance, but Monmouth's perfect 4-for-4 free-throw shooting in the final 16 seconds gave them the win.

Laury led the team with 20 points and five assists, while Livermore added 19 points and led the team on the boards with 13.  It was her sixth double-double of the season.

Pankey added 10 points for FDU, while Crawford brought down 10 boards.

The Knights out-shot the Hawks, 43.8 to 38.2 percent in the second half to finish with a 36.5 shooting percentage on the night.  FDU also out-rebounded Monmouth, 44-41 overall.  Both teams had 15 points off turnovers, 22 second-chance points and eight fast-break points. 

The Knights will travel to Maryland this weekend to take on Mount St. Mary's on Saturday.