Box Score

HACKENSACK, N.J. -- The Fairleigh Dickinson women's basketball team dropped a 66-53 decision to Bryant at Stratis Arena Monday night in Northeast Conference action. With the victory, the Bulldogs improve to 8-13 (4-6 NEC) on the season, while the Knights fall to 9-12 (4-6 NEC) overall.

Poor shooting in the first half doomed FDU in the contest, as it connected on only 6-of-31 shots (19.4 percent), which allowed Bryant to lead 29-16 at the half. The Bulldogs shot only 33.3 percent (11-of-33) over the first 20 minutes but made four three's, compared to the Knights' one.

For the game, FDU shot 26.4 percent (19-of-72) and made only six of its 24 three-point attempts. Bryant shot 35.3 percent (22-of-62) and made 7-of-21 from downtown. Both sides also struggled from the free throw line, as the Knights made only 9-of-19 (47.4 percent), while the Bulldogs made only 15-of-26 (57.7 percent) from the charity stripe.

FDU won the rebounding battle, 54-51, establishing a new season high. The Knights also tied a season low in turnovers with 14 and tied a season high in blocks with nine.

Sophomore Erika Livermore (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth Area) led the Knights with 17 points, 17 rebounds, five blocked shots, which tied a career high and two steals, giving her 18 double-doubles on the season. Fellow classmate Stephanie Isaacs (Fair Haven, N.J./Rumson-Fair Haven) added 12 points, all in the second half, on four three-pointers.

Freshman Brianna Thomas (Baldwin, N.Y./St. John the Baptist Diocesan) chipped in career highs of eight points and eight rebounds off the bench, while sophomore Amanda Andrades (Virginia Beach, Va./Princess Anne) tied a career high with six assists and grabbed a career-best seven rebounds. Freshman Kelsey Cruz (Chester, Va./Lloyd C. Bird) also scored eight points.

Bryant started the game on a 12-2 run and held a double-digit lead most of the first half, as the closest FDU came was at 12-7 after Cruz's trey ball with 13:51 to go before halftime.

The Knights opened the second half on a 10-2 run, with Isaacs knocking down a pair of three's to cut the lead to 31-26, forcing the Bulldogs to call a 30-second timeout at the 17:13 mark.

However, Bryant responded with 16 unanswered points to take its largest lead of the game, 47-26, with 13:45 remaining in the contest.

A layup by Livermore cut the lead to 62-51 with 1:19 left in the game, but it was the closest FDU came, as the Bulldogs cruised to the 66-53 victory.

“Bryant came out and was on the attack, and we battled to the end,” Head Coach Peter Cinella said. “We did a pretty good job of rebounding the ball and taking care of the basketball, but we had a rough shooting night.”

Katie Whittington led Bryant with a game-high 27 points and four assists. Danielle Douglas added 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks, while Nanna Ankoma-Mensa chipped in nine points and grabbed a game-high 19 rebounds.

The Knights will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 9 when they host Monmouth at Stratis Arena for the 2013 Winter Homecoming at 2 p.m. The Hawks defeated FDU in West Long Branch, N.J., 61-53, on Jan. 28.