HACKENSACK, N.J. – FDU women's basketball dropped an exhibition matchup to Villanova by a score of 57-37 on Thursday night. The Knights hosted the Wildcats in the Bogota Savings Bank Center to open their 2025-26 campaign.
FDU fell behind early, following a 12-2 run by Villanova to open the game. Despite the early deficit, Knights were able to claw back into the first quarter thanks to some solid perimeter play. Ava Renninger and Reese Downey knocked down threes on back-to-back possessions to shorten the Wildcat lead to 12-8 with under four minutes left in the first. Downey, a freshman, recorded her first career collegiate points on the early three.
The Wildcats would close the first quarter on a 6-0 run to take an 18-8 lead into the second quarter. Once the second frame came around, things tightened up in Hackensack. Neither squad scored a point through the first 5:12 of the second quarter. A layup by Villanova's Denae Carter broke the drought with four minutes left in the quarter, and woke the Wildcat offense up. The Wildcats would out-score FDU 12 to five in the second quarter, taking a 30-13 lead into the half.
The Knights offense woke up itself in the second half of play, but was not enough to overcome the halftime deficit. Kailee McDonald was an inferno for the Knights in the third quarter, scoring eight straight points for FDU, and allowing them to pull within 14 of Villanova. McDonald finished as FDU's leading scorer with 14 points.
FDU saw some great flashes out of freshman Leah Crosby in the scrimmage. Crosby, who earned the start in her collegiate debut, poured in nine points with five rebounds. Her night was highlighted by an impressive offensive rebound leading to a three-point play in the second quarter.
The Knights matched the Wildcats with ten points apiece in the fourth quarter, leading to the final of 57-37.
- Kailee McDonald led the way for FDU with 14 points.
- Eight of McDonald's points came in the third quarter.
- The sophomore tallied three steals on the defensive end as well.
- Leah Crosby recorded nine points and five rebounds in her collegiate debut.
- The Knights spread the ball around well, assisting on nine of their 14 makes from the field.
- FDU had trouble finding success from deep, shooting just 3-23 from range.
The Knights will begin their regular season by heading out to the state of Indiana for a two-game road trip. FDU will face Purdue on November 3, and No. 15 Notre Dame on November 5. Both games will tip off at 7 p.m.
Connect with FDU Women's Basketball on X and Instagram, @FDUKnightsWBB.
Segovia Steakhouse is the presenting sponsor of the 2025-26 FDU women's basketball season.
