HACKENSACK, N.J. -- The Fairleigh Dickinson women's basketball team will go for its best Northeast Conference start through seven games since 1993 when it travels to Sacred Heart on Saturday afternoon, followed by the first-ever meeting between FDU and Merrimack on Monday night.
FDU (7-10, 4-2 NEC) at Sacred Heart (6-11, 3-3 NEC)
Saturday, Jan. 25 | 1 PM | Pitt Center - Fairfield, Conn.
Watch: NEC Front Row
Links: Live Stats | Twitter | Instagram
FDU (7-10, 4-2 NEC) at Merrimack (11-7, 4-3 NEC)
Monday, Jan. 27 | 7 PM | Hammel Court - North Andover, Mass.
Watch: NEC Front Row
Links: Live Stats | Twitter | Instagram
All-Time Series
Sacred Heart 31, FDU 6
at Pitt Center: SHU leads, 18-0
Last Time: FDU 65, Sacred Heart 60 (1/13/20)
Merrimack: first-ever meeting
Last Time Out
The Knights picked up their seventh win in 10 games on Monday by defeating Central Connecticut State, 66-47, in the Rothman Center.
The Knights shot an even 50 percent from three-point range, making 9-of-18 shots beyond the arc, and held the Blue Devils (1-17, 0-7 NEC) to just 30 percent shooting in the game and 1-of-6 from long range. The 47 points were the fewest allowed by the Knights in a game this season, and FDU closed out the game making 7-of-13 shots in the fourth period while holding CCSU to just 1-of-6 from the field in the final 10 minutes.
Four different Knights scored in double figures, led by Lindsey Mack who finished with her first career double-double. The sophomore scored a team-high 16 points on 7-of-15 shooting and she pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds, grabbing eight on the defensive end.
Freshman Maria Roters netted 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting to go with six rebounds and two steals, earning NEC Rookie of the Week honors on Wednesday, and sophomore Rachael Niles totaled 11 points while making all three of her three-point tries and dishing out four assists. Freshman Sierra DeAngelo also added 10 points off the bench, making 3-of-5 shots and both of her shots from beyond the arc. Senior Lauren Francillon matched Mack with 10 rebounds to go with seven points and two blocks.
Coach Szumilo's Thoughts
"We spent a lot of time talking to our players not underestimating Central Connecticut," head coach Angelika Szumilo said. "They're a talented team and have one of the best forwards in the league, so we knew we had to really bring our A-game defensively to be in position to win this game. It was all about team defense, and I think we did a very good job of keeping our person in front of us and, when they did try to get the ball inside, doubling and being there for each other."
"I think [Lindsey]'s becoming a much more complete player," Szumilo said. "It's not all about taking threes with her now, and she's learning if they take away the threes, then she has to drive. She did a great job today doing both, but I'm very proud of her. She played really well on both ends of the court."
""They're tough teams," Szumilo continued. "Obviously we just played Sacred Heart, but they're a very good team and I'm sure they're going to make their adjustments just like we will. And Merrimack has proven that they're a very good program, so we're going to have to focus on what we need to do to stop them defensively and go at them offensively."
What's Next
FDU returns home for its following game on Saturday, February 1, against Mount St. Mary's, hosting Alumni Day along with supporting National Girls and Women in Sports Day, with kids 12 and under receiving free admission for the game. Tickets for adults can be purchased online in advance at fduknights.com/tickets.
Marriott Saddle Brook is the presenting sponsor of the 2019-20 women's basketball season.
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