Box Score

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The Fairleigh Dickinson women's basketball team dropped a wild Northeast Conference contest to Wagner on Saturday afternoon at the Sprio Center.  The Knights (7-16, 4-8 NEC) erased an 11-point second half deficit, but the Seahawks (6-18, 4-9 NEC) battled back to win the game, 82-75.

The Knights trailed 58-47 with 11:35 left to play, but an 18-6 run fueled by 10 points from junior Erika Livermore (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth Area) put FDU back in front 65-64 with 5:38 left to play.  However, the Seahawks would answer with a jumper and then back-to-back three-pointers over the ensuing 90 seconds to take a 72-65 lead.

FDU would continue to battle, but the Knights were unable to cut the deficit to a single possession over the final four minutes of play.

"We shot the ball well from the field today and we did a great job taking care of the basketball with such a low turnover number," head coach Pete Cinella said after the game.  "However, Wagner played a really good game today."

Livermore finished with 25 points with 20 coming in the second half, including 16 points over the final 11 minutes of play.  Junior Kelsey Cruz (Chester, Va./Lloyd C. Bird) also had a strong game scoring 24 points, including an 18-point first half.

"Erika Livermore (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth Area) was very good down the stretch for us scoring 16 points and Kelsey Cruz (Chester, Va./Lloyd C. Bird) had a tremendous first half with 18, but we have to do a better job rebounding the basketball throughout the game."

The Seahawks posted a 45-36 edge in rebounding.

Livermore picked up a double-double with 14 boards to go along with her 25 points. 

The Knights shot 41.8% (28-67) from the floor and connected on 17-of-24 free throw attempts.  FDU made just two three-pointers, but also attempted just eight in the game.  The Seahawks were 45.2% (28-62) from the field and 17-of-23 from the free throw line.  Wagner hit nine threes on 28 attempts in the game.

FDU dominated scoring in the paint with a 42-28 advantage.

Amanda Andrades (Virginia Beach, Va./Princess Anne) played all 40 minutes for FDU and contributed 11 points, four assists and a steal.

Wagner's Jasmine Nwajei led all players with 31 points.

The Knights will return to action on Monday night against Bryant.  That game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip at Stratis Arena.