HACKENSACK, N.J. - The FDU Knights women's basketball team (1-1, 0-0) was back in action at Stratis Arena inside the Rothman Center on Saturday, November 12 defeating the Cornell Big Red (0-2,0-0), 62-51. The two teams battled bucket for bucket early with Cornell leading at the first media timeout 10-8. FDU ended the first quarter on an 8-4 run and took a 16-14 lead heading into the second quarter. The Knights had a huge second quarter that was capped with a 17-6 run giving them a 37-28 lead at halftime, backed behind 12 points from Ella Fajardo. The Burgundy and Blue's dominant defense was too much to overcome in the second half for the Big Red. Cornell shot 25% from the field in the second half and committed 11 turnovers.
 

Statistical Leaders

• Senior Dahomée Forgues led the Knights with 15 points; she added four rebounds.
• Sierra DeAngelo pitched in 12 points and a team-leading eight rebounds in her first contest of the season.  
• Fajardo picked up 14 points including a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line.
• Dominique García Blackwood checked into her first career collegiate game.

First Quarter

FDU 16, Cornell 14

• Going into the first media timeout the Knights were going bucket for bucket against the Big Red. Cornell led 10-8.
• A 8-4 run for the Burgundy and Blue gave the Knights a two-point lead to end the first quarter.
• Chloe Wilson led the Knights with five points in the quarter.

Second Quarter

FDU 37, Cornell 28

• Two quick threes from Fajardo and Forgues forced a quick Cornell timeout.
• Midway through the quarter the Knights took a 33-20 lead on a 17-6 run in the second quarter. DeAngelo and Fajardo led the way with eight points apiece.
• The Knights outscored the Big Red 21-14 in the second quarter.
• The Burgundy and Blue's stifling defense forced 14 first-half turnovers.
• Fajardo led the way with 12 points in the first half.

Third Quarter

FDU 56, Cornell 40

• With 7:06 on left in the third, Forgues nailed her second three of the contest to give the Knights a 42-30 lead.
• The media timeout saw the Knights leading 48-35 over Cornell.
• Forgues led FDU with 10 points in the quarter.
• Fajardo led FDU with five points in the quarter, giving her seven on the night.

Fourth Quarter

FDU 62, Cornell 51

• The Knights were forced to call an early timeout after their offense went stagnant.
• Despite the offense struggling in the quarter the defense continued to dominate forcing the Big Red to shoot 3-14 from the field in the quarter.
•  Forgues led all scorers with 15 points.

Quotable

• "I'm very proud of our team's performance today, especially on the defensive end", said head coach Angelika Szumilo. "We will continue to work on improving the little things that are vital for our program".
• "Overall it was a good team win," said senior guard Forgues. "We came out strong in the 2nd half, got some key stops on defense and were able to get our first home win!"

Up Next

• FDU travels to Pennsylvania for a battle with out-of-conference foe Bucknell on Wednesday, November 16. The game will take place at Sojka Pavilion in Lewisburg, Pa. You can watch the game on ESPN+.

 
Connect with FDU women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram, @FDUKnightsWBB.