SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The second straight on the road for the Fairleigh Dickinson women's basketball is a date with the Bulldogs of Bryant on Monday night at 7 p.m.
QUICK HITTERS
•FDU earned its first series split of the season on Saturday with St. Francis Brooklyn. The Knights ended the game on an 8-0 run to win 59-58. A win on Monday night would do the same with Bryant.
• For the third straight game, the Knights shot over 40% from the floor against St. Francis Brooklyn (42%); first time this season.
• A win would be two straight for FDU in NEC play. Last time that happened was vs SFU and at Wagner on Feb. 1 & 6 of last season.
• A win would also even the Knights record at 4-4 for the month of January. FDU was not .500 or better in a month last season or the first two of this season.
SERIES SCORE
FDU will try to end an eight-game losing streak against Bryant on Monday. The last FDU win in the series also came in Smithfield, back in the 2011-12 season. Two of the last three games in Smithfield have been single digit scores.
LAST TIME OUT
Fairleigh Dickinson ended the game on an 8-0 run to beat St. Francis Brooklyn, 59-58, on Brianna Thomas' put back with two seconds to play. A strong second half defensive effort helped the Knights comeback and win from their largest deficit of the season. FDU did not allow St. Francis Brooklyn to hit a 3-pointer in the second half (0-for-5). Madelynn Comly led all scorers with 17 points -- fifth straight game in double figures. Amina Markovic finished 16 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Thomas ended with nine points and six rebounds off the bench.
ABOUT BRYANT
The Bulldogs enter with a 9-11 overall record, 4-5 in the NEC and sit in a tie for fifth place with St. Francis Brooklyn, one game in front of FDU. Bryant is on a three-game losing streak after falling to Central Connecticut last time out, 53-52. Alex Klein leads the Bulldogs in scoring (16.5) and rebounding (8.1). Those averages put her second in the NEC in scoring and third in rebounding. Sydney Holloway comes off the bench to score 8.9 per contest and sophomore Kierra Palmer is at 8.4 on the season. Morgan Olander is second on the team in rebounds at 7.2, which is sixth in the NEC. Bryant last lost four straight was in December of last season; to Brown, UMass, Providence and Maine.
NO BREAK TIME
FDU has held its last two opponents to zero points in transition; LIU Brooklyn, St. Francis Brooklyn (1/23). FDU gave up 8 points in each of the two games prior. On Saturday, FDU only gave up four to the Terriers.
CATCHING YOUR MISSES
FDU had 16 OREB at St. Francis Brooklyn -- including the one leading to the game-winning layup. Also had 13 OREB vs LIUB. Third time in NEC play over 10 . Had done it in every non-con game this season.
NEC RANKS
Scoring offense – 6th (59.3)
Scoring defense – 4th (66.0)
FT percentage - 9th (64.4%)
Field goal percentage – 6th (35.5%)
3FG percentage – 10th (27%)
FG% defense – 7th (40.6%)
3FG% defense – 9th (33.7%)
Rebounding offense – 4th (37.4)
Rebounding margin – 5th (-2.2)
Total Rebounds – 4th (747)
Assists per game – 7th (11.5)
Blocks – 9th (2.0 per game)
Steals per game – 2nd (9.1)
Turnover Margin – 4th ( 1.1)
Turnovers per game – 7th (19.0)
Turnovers forced per game - 2nd (20.0)
Assist/Turnover Ratio – 7th (0.70)
THREE at 10
In NEC play, FDU has three players averaging over 10 points per game; Markovic (13.0), Thomas (10.6) and Comly (10.5).
