WASHINGTON, D.C. – FDU Women's Basketball picked up a massive win on the road Friday, defeating American by a score of 62-59. With the victory, head coach
Stephanie Gaitley secured her 700th career victory, a historic mark.
With the victory Coach Gaitley becomes the 17th women's basketball coach at the Division I level to reach 700 wins.
FDU pulled out the win after a nail-biter of a contest in the nation's capitol. The Knights and Eagles played each other close in the first half, with American heading into the half up by a score of 33-32.
Bella Toomey got things moving on the offensive end for the Knights early, coming off the bench to score eight in the first half.
The second half saw things start to tighten up. Within the final five minutes, each team began to exchange blows. A late five-point FDU lead was erased in a matter of moments, helped by a big offensive rebound and put-back by American's Cecilia Kay following an American missed free throw.
FDU would then take the lead right back on a massive three-point play by Toomey in the paint. That lead was then immediately neutralized by an Anna Rescifina three-pointer not 20 seconds later. The Knights proceeded to immediately respond, as freshman
Ava Renninger hit a massive three pointer to extend the FDU lead back to three with under three minutes left.
The Knights would wind on holding that lead until the end of regulation, but not without some theatre. FDU had possesion up 58-57 with under 20 seconds left, when Renninger was intentionally fouled to head to the free throw line. Renninger missed the pair, which gave American one last gasp with nine seconds left.
A three-point attempt by Rescifina missed with five seconds left, but officials called
Kailee McDonald for a shooting foul, putting American at the line with a chance to tie. However, a missed free throw gave FDU the chance to wind out the clock for a win.
THE STATS
- Freshman Ava Renninger led the way for FDU with 17 points on 5/15 shooting and 3/5 from deep.
- Bella Toomey had a great afternoon for the Knights, scoring 11 points and recording 7 rebounds.
- The Knights defense clamped down, holding American to just 38% from the field, and 26% from three.
- Free throw woes did American in, shooting just 61.9% from the charity stripe and missing a key free throw late.
- American out-rebounded the Knights 45-33.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Knights will stay in the DMV and head to Mount St. Mary's for a Sunday afternoon matchup on November 10th. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
Connect with FDU Women's Basketball on X and Instagram, @FDUKnightsWBB.
Segovia Steakhouse is the presenting sponsor of the 2024-25 FDU Women's Basketball season.
