HACKENSACK, N.J.- After suffering a defeat in their first conference game of the year, the FDU Knights (2-12, 0-1) now turn their attention to the Merrimack Warriors (3-11, 0-1), who they will battle in their NEC home opener on Monday night. The game is set to tip-off at 7 p.m. inside the friendly confines of Stratis Arena.
HOW TO WATCH
Fans can stream all of the action on NEC Front Row.
LAST TIME OUT
The Knights traveled to Syracuse on Saturday and were beaten by Le Moyne by a score of 65-52. Despite leading by two at the end of the first quarter, FDU was outscored 23-14 in the second period and trailed by seven at the half. Le Moyne steadily grew their lead throughout the second half to secure the double-digit victory.
Teneisia Brown and
Abby Conklin were the primary source of offensive production and rebounds for the Knights. Brown powered her way to 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Conklin coasted to 18 points and eight boards. As a team FDU shot 33.8% from the field and were 2-7 at the free throw line. They did, however, outrebound Le Moyne 46-36.
MAKE IT A DOUBLE (DOUBLE)
Brown's double-double against Le Moyne was her third of the season. The forward has scored in double-figures nine times this season. Since fouling out of the game and scoring just two points against American on 12/2, Brown is averaging 12.2 points and seven boards per contest in FDU's last six games. On the year, Brown is averaging just over ten points and six rebounds, both of which lead the team.
CONFERENCE-PLAY CONKLIN
Abby Conklin is finding her range again from deep. The guard has connected on seven triples in FDU's last two contests. Over that span, she is averaging 14.5 points, five rebounds, three assists, and 1.5 steals per game as she continues to stuff the stat-sheet for Coach Gaitley. Last season, Conklin connected on 15 triples and saw her three-point percentage rise to 37.5% in NEC play. With four threes made against Le Moyne, Conklin is hoping to heat up yet again throughout the conference campaign.
BEHIND ENEMY LINES
The Warriors enter this contest with an overall record of 3-11. They were defeated by NEC preseason favorite Sacred Heart, 65-51, in their conference opener on Saturday. The Warriors and Knights have played common opponents in Rider, NJIT and Bucknell already this season. Merrimack is 0-3 in these games, while FDU was able salvage one against Rider. The Warriors have dropped five in a row and are averaging an even 53 points per game.
SCOUT'S CORNER
The Warriors are led by senior forward Amaya Staton. Boasting per game averages of 11.9 points and 7.4 boards, the Ohio native is leading the charge for Merrimack. She is coming off a double-double and a season-high 14 rebounds vs Sacred Heart. Staton found success against FDU last year as she was able to collect 16 points in both of their matchups, including a double-double on the floor at Stratis Arena.
PACING THE SIDELINES
Kelly Morrone, now in her fourth season as head coach of Merrimack, led the Warriors to a 10-6 record in the NEC last season. This was good enough for a third-place finish and set them up for their first-ever postseason win in Merrimack's Division I era. Morrone earned her playing stripes at South Carolina, where she sits third all-time in program history in three-point percentage and three-pointers made.
GOOD TO SEE YOU, AGAIN
The Knights have enjoyed success against the Warriors since the Massachusetts' program joined the NEC. FDU holds the all-time series advantage 6-2 and have won all six of those games in consecutive fashion. This has included four-straight wins at home dating back to 2021. Six of the eight games in these series have been decided by 12 or less points.
WHAT'S NEXT
FDU will hit the road, yet again, when they head to Stonehill on January 13. The Saturday afternoon tilt is set for a 2 p.m. tip-off at Merkert Gymnasium. Fans can catch all of the action on NEC Front Row.
Holy Name Medical Center is the presenting sponsor for the 2023-24 FDU women's basketball season.
