HACKENSACK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson women's basketball team surged out to a 27-point lead at halftime on its way to a 64-50 victory over Long Island University on Senior Night Friday in the Rothman Center.
 
The Knights (10-15, 7-7 NEC) in the process earned their 10th win of the season, their seventh time in the last 10 years, and moved into sole possession of fourth place in the NEC standings. FDU made 50 percent of its shots, including 9-of-14 in the second period, in the first half while holding the Sharks (6-19, 5-9 NEC) to just 3-of-19 (15.8 percent) shooting in the opening 20 minutes. The 11 points allowed is the lowest given up in a half by FDU since 2004 when FDU allowed 12 points to Winthrop in the first half.
 
Senior Lauren Francillon, one of five seniors honored before the game, led the Knights with a double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds, achieving her season-high point total on 10-of-17 field goals. She also finished with three assists, two steals and two blocks. Sophomore Rachael Niles netted 14 points, making 5-of-6 free throws, and freshman Maria Roters added 13 points and five rebounds.
 
Senior Courtney Blankenship started and finished with four points and three assists, while seniors Jenna Clark, Elise Graham and Charee Osborne were also honored before the game.
 
"Senior night is always such an emotional day, so you never know how we're going to come out, but our two seniors that played really came out ready," head coach Angelika Szumilo said. "Lauren had a phenomenal game. We all know what she can do on offense but she put together a really good game on both ends, especially on the defensive end today."
 
FDU also made 13-of-18 free throws in the game and dished out 14 assists as a team, moving their record to 10-2 in games in which the Knights record at least 14 helpers. The FDU defense forced LIU to commit 25 turnovers, the most against the Knights this season.
 
Blankenship and Francillon combined for six of FDU's first 10 points in jumping out to a 10-4 lead in the first period, and freshman Celia Carbonell, who added eight points in 32 minutes off the bench, drained a three off a Francillon assist to stretch FDU's lead to nine after the first 10 minutes.
 
The Knights then held the Sharks to just four free throws over the first 9:46 of the second quarter, a stretch of over 12 minutes without a field goal. FDU meanwhile made eight of its first 11 baskets in the quarter, including five from Francillon and three by Niles, to stretch its lead to 38-11 at the haltime break.
 
"We were very focused and played as one unit," Szumilo said. "We forced them into a lot of tough shots and we were really there for each other in that first half."
 
FDU held its lead throughout the second half, never letting the margin drop below 14 points despite a push by LIU with 25 points in the third quarter.
 
Francillon's 23 points in the game tied teammate Lindsey Mack for the most by a Knight in a game this season, and was the highest total for the senior in a game since her 31-point outburst last season against CCSU.
 
With St. Francis Brooklyn's win over Bryant, FDU claims sole possession of fourth in the NEC standings but needs another victory with four games remaining to clinch its sixth straight berth to the NEC Tournament.
 
The Knights have a quick turnaround before hosting Robert Morris on Sunday at 1 p.m., for the team's Think Pink game supporting the Kay Yow Fund and the fight against breast cancer. Tickets for Sunday's game can be purchased in advance online at fduknights.com/tickets.