HACKENSACK, N.J. - FDU women's basketball (16-9, 13-2 NEC) defended the Rothman Center as they dropped Bryant (7-18, 5-9 NEC), 59-52, extending their winning streak at home to eight games. 
 
How it Happened

• The Knights established a 9-7 lead as Aniya Bell sank a triple with 6:18 left in the first quarter. Rachael Niles contributed with two crucial threes to open up the Knights lead, 20-13. A pair of Bryant free throws capped the quarter, 20-15.
• Sierra DeAngelo opened the second quarter with a steal, followed by back-to-back baskets from the three-point line. She went on to shoot four-for-four from the field, leading the Knights with 11 points at the half. The Knights ended the first half with a double-digit lead, 40-26. 
• Out of halftime, Bryant jumped out on an 11-2 run to cut FDU's lead to seven. The Knights were held to nine points in the third quarter as the Bulldogs posted a strong defensive front. Niles added a steal in the final minute of the quarter to hold a 49-40 lead into the final ten minutes of play.
• A pair of Aniya Bell free throws gave the Knights a 56-45 lead midway through the final quarter of play. Despite going 4/4 from the free throw line in the final two minutes and cutting the deficit to 6 points, Bryant was unable to close the gap as they fell 59-52.
• Aniya Bell tallied four free throws in the first five minutes of the final period to maintain a double-digit lead. Bryant worked to close the gap, shooting four-for-four from the free throw line to cut the deficit to six. FDU maintained momentum, closing the game 59-52.

 
Inside the Box Score

• Aniya Bell served as the Knights leading scorer for her third-straight game, landing her recognition as ESPN's Player of the Game. Bell recorded 18 points, shooting 75 percent from the field and a perfect five-for-five from the free-throw line.
• Sierra DeAngelo also contributed double-digits, adding 13 points and shooting five-for-seven from the field and a perfect three-for-three from beyond the arc. 
• The Knights shot a total of 6-11 from deep (55%), while Bryant shot 6-18 (33%).
• The Knights recorded their eighth straight home win, boasting the best home record in the NEC at 10-3.

 
Next Up

• The Knights look to stay hot as they head to Wagner on Thursday, February 24^th for a 7PM game vs. the Seahawks before returning home to celebrate Senior Day on Saturday, February 26th at 2PM.