FIU Live Video / Live Stats

HACKENSACK, N.J. -- The Fairleigh Dickinson women's basketball team (1-8) will conclude the 2013 calendar year and the nonconference portion of the schedule this weekend in Miami, Fla. at the FIU Sun and Fun Classic, where the Knights will face the hosts, Florida International, on Saturday at 6 p.m., before facing either Wake Forest or Florida A&M on Sunday at 1 p.m. All games will be played from Lime Court at U.S. Century Bank Arena.

Last Time Out
FDU last played nine days ago when it fell at NJIT, 84-71. Sophomore Kelsey Cruz (Chester, Va./Lloyd C. Bird) paced the Knights with a career-high 25 points, including 17 after halftime, knocked down 4-of-6 from three-point range and grabbed five rebounds. Junior Amanda Andrades (Virginia Beach, Va./Princess Anne) also established a new career high in scoring with 18 points (14 first half), swished 4-of-6 from distance, dished out a team-best four assists and recorded a career-high six steals in 40 minutes of action.

The Highlanders shot a blistering 63.6 percent (21-of-33) from the field over the first 20 minutes, including a 60-percent clip (9-of-15) from three-point range, as they broke away from a 5-5 tie with 11 unanswered points and 28 of the next 33 to take a 33-10 lead with 6:50 to go in the opening half, before eventually leading at the break, 53-31.

FDU would outscore NJIT by nine, 40-31, in the second half, and would cut the deficit to 75-62 on a Cruz three-pointer at the 3:16 mark. But the Knights, who were playing with a short bench on the night, were unable to get any closer.

FDU made a season-high 10 three's (on 25 attempts) and shot 40.6 percent (26-of-64) from the field. The Highlanders cooled off in the second half but connected on 52.3 percent (34-of-65) of its chances for the game while missing all seven of its shots from behind-the-arc in the second half.

Florida International
2013-14 Season: 4-6
When: Saturday, Dec. 28 - 6 p.m.
Where: Miami, Fla. (U.S. Century Bank Arena)
Series History: First Meeting
What You Need To Know: The Panthers started out the season 0-4 but have won four of their last six, including a three-game win streak that was snapped last time out at Florida, 90-74. Senior guard Jerica Coley is second in the nation in scoring at 27.4 points per game. She also adds 6.0 rebounds per game and leads FIU in assists (45), steals (18) and blocks (8).

Florida A&M
2013-14 Season: 6-7
When: Sunday, Dec. 29 - 1 p.m.
Where: Miami, Fla. (U.S. Century Bank Arena)
Series History: First Meeting
What You Need To Know: The Rattlers started the season 5-1 but have struggled since, losing six of their last seven games, including four straight. Leading scorer Jasmine Grice ranks 18th in the country in scoring at 22.2 points per game. She also grabs 6.7 rebounds per game, leads the team in steals (41) and has dished out the second most assists (38) on the team. Taneka Rubin adds 12.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game and a team-high seven blocks, while Kimberly Sparkman chips in 10.4 points per game a team-best 49 assists.

Wake Forest
2013-14 Season: 7-4
When: Sunday, Dec. 29 - 1 p.m.
Where: Miami, Fla. (U.S. Century Bank Arena)
Series History: Wake Forest leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Nov. 27, 1998 – Wake Forest 79 FDU 45
What You Need To Know: The Demon Deacons come to Miami on a three-game winning streak and winners in six of their last eight contests. Junior forward Derica Hamby leads Wake Forest in scoring at 20.9 points per game, which ranks 31st in the nation. She also leads the team in rebounding at 10.4 per game, which ranks 36th in the country. Hamby also leads the Demon Deacons blocks (15) and steals (34). Chelsea Douglas adds 19.8 points per game and leads the squad with 29 assists.

Up Next
FDU will return to action Saturday, Jan. 4 when it travels to Smithfield, R.I. to start Northeast Conference play against Bryant, with tipoff scheduled for 1 p.m.