HACKENSACK, N.J. – Despite trailing by as many as nine in the fourth quarter, FDU earned their first win of the season against Rider on Sunday by a score of 64-59. The win brings the Knights to 1-5 and marks
Stephanie Gaitley's first win as head coach of FDU.
NOTABLE NAMES
- Staci Williams posted a career-high 12 points on 4-for-6 from the field and picked up two steals.
- Abby Conklin played all 40-minutes in her fourth-straight contest and stuffed the stat-sheet with ten points, six rebounds and six assists.
QUARTER 1
FDU came out sizzling from downtown as
Nickie Carter knocked down two-straight threes to put the Knights ahead 6-3. Rider answered the early FDU run and stormed ahead 16-8.
Ciera Cevallos delivered from downtown closing the eight-point deficit to five. Rider was able to extend the lead back to nine but a jumper from
Wilma Sorensen made the score 20-13 at the end of the first quarter.
QUARTER 2
Bella Toomey ignited FDU in the second frame. She scored six of their first eight points and recorded a rejection within the first five minutes of play. This spurt put the Knights ahead 21-20. Rider responded with a bucket but a Conklin triple gave the Knights back the lead and kept momentum on their side at 24-22. FDU locked all windows and doors for the entire period as they held Rider to just one made field goal and two total points. They would finish the half on a 20-2 run and take a 31-22 lead into the halftime break.
QUARTER 3
The Broncs regained their offensive footing and knotted the game at 36-36. Conklin sank a deep ball that gave FDU a 3-point lead, but the Broncs responded with a 6-0 spurt that put them ahead 42-39. The Knights leveled it at 42-42 but a three-point play for Rider gave them a 45-42 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
QUARTER 4
Rider extended their lead to 51-42 right out of the gate. Thankfully, FDU freshman Cierra Cervallos dialed one in from beyond the arc and then assisted on a Conklin lay up for a 5-0 run that kept the Knights in it. Williams connected on a three that cut the deficit to one. Again though, the Broncs looked to be in control as they answered with a 6-0 run that put them up 57-50 with 2:45 remaining in the game. FDU hit one more three, courtesy of Sorensen, and then forced a Rider turnover. Trailing by four, Williams drove to the hoop, made a layup, and drew a foul that sent her to the line for one more. She would make it to cut the Rider lead to 57-56. After another defensive stand,
Lilly Parke drew a foul and then made two free-throws to give FDU a one-point lead. On their next possession, Parke connected on a mid-range jumper to extend the Knights lead to 60-57. Late free-throws sealed the win for FDU. They'd finish the game on a 14-2 run.
UP NEXT
The Knights will take on NJIT on Wednesday in Stratis Arena. The game is schedule to tip-off at 7 p.m. on YES Network.
Connect with FDU women's basketball on X and Instagram, @FDUKnightsWBB.
