NEWARK, N.J. – Senior
Madison Stanley matched a career-high with 22 points as FDU (3-1) recorded its third straight win with a 68-54 victory over NJIT (1-4) on Saturday night at the NJIT Wellness and Events Center. With the win, the Knights won both games of the home-and-home series against the Highlanders.
Stanley also matched a career-high with nine made field goals on 11 attempts and pulled down seven rebounds. Sophomore
Maria Roters registered nine points and a season-high three steals in the win. Sophomore
Sierra DeAngelo and freshman
Chloe Wilson each netted eight points, respectively.
Coach Szumilo's Thoughts
"This was a great team win again tonight," stated coach Szumilo following the win over NJIT. "It helps when you shoot the ball well, especially when that happens in the second half. We came out a little flat defensively in the first half and had to make some adjustments."
"Madison had a hot hand tonight and we kept feeding her the ball. She shot the ball without hesitation tonight and it paid off for use. Overall, I am very proud of our team performance as we had multiple players step up for us offensively and defensively at different times."
How it Happened
- The Knights jumped out to a 10-4 lead over the first six minutes of action but the Highlanders ended the first quarter on a 9-5 run, including a buzzer-beater three-pointer from Kendle Dalrymple, which cut the FDU lead to 15-13.
- The teams traded baskets early in the second quarter before DeAngelo sparked the offense with a pair of buckets to give FDU a 22-21 lead with 4:21 left in the quarter.
- A three-pointer helped NJIT counter with a run of their own as they led the Burgundy and Blue 29-27 at the half.
- Roters netted a team-high seven points on 3-5 shooting in the first half.
- The Highlanders extended their lead to as many as five early in the third, but sophomore Celia Carbonell and freshman Taylor Crystian each connected on field goals for the Knights, while Wilson knocked down her first career three-pointer to tie the game at 36-36 with 5:40 to go in the period.
- The Knights ended the third period by outscoring NJIT 10-9 with a balanced attack that included baskets from four different players, including junior Madeline Selvaggi who scored three points and dished out an assist as FDU led 46-45 after three.
- Freshman Abby Conklin connected on a pair of three-pointers and Stanley knocked down three jumpers from the top of the key as the Knights opened the fourth quarter on a 12-3 run and held a 58-48 lead with 6:33 left in the game.
- Stanley continued to have the hot hand in the fourth as she accounted for 13 of the Knights' 22 fourth quarter points as the Burgundy and Blue pulled away with a 68-54 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- FDU shot a season-best 52 percent from the floor and went 26-of-50 from the field.
- The Knights out-rebounded the Highlanders 34 to 31 in the contest.
- The Burgundy and Blue dished out 12 assists and forced nine NJIT turnovers after forcing 18 a night ago.
- The Knights outscored NJIT 41-25 in the second half and matched a season-high with 22 points in the fourth quarter.
- Selvaggi pulled down a game-high eight rebounds, scored four points, and dished out three assists.
- Kenna Squier and Litwinko led the Highlanders with 14 and 11 points, respectively.
- All nine Knights that entered the game registered at least two points.
- FDU is now 11-4 all-time against NJIT and 3-0 under coach Szumilo.
Up Next
The Knights will open up conference play when they host Saint Francis U on Tuesday, December 15 with tip-off at 7 p.m. on NEC Front Row.
