HACKENSACK, N.J. – FDU women's basketball (5-3, 0-0) picked up a 63-50 victory over Monmouth (2-4, 0-0) on Saturday afternoon.
The Knights started off slow to begin the game, scoring just ten points across the first ten minutes of regulation. Turnovers killed the Knights early on, as a few sloppy possessions gave the Hawks some extra opportunities. FDU still couldn't crack the offense in the second quarter, putting just 14 on the board in the frame.
The Knights went into the half-time break with just a 24-22 lead over Monmouth.
The bright spot for FDU in the first half was freshman Reese Downey, who had a breakout performance. Downey knocked down two triples across the first 20 minutes, and went into the halftime break with a game-high eight points.
As the second half began, it was clear the Knights had shaken off the offensive woes of the first half. FDU exploded in the third quarter, out-scoring Monmouth 25 to six across the stanza. Leah Crosby got the Knights going early, making two three-pointers to open up the quarter. She would finish with eight points across the frame. Ava Renninger also began to heat up at the end of the third, knocking down two threes of her own.
The Knights continued the offense into the fourth, as Ava Renninger poured in eight points across the final ten minutes. Monmouth began to fight back late in regulation, putting on a full-court press that gave FDU some fits. However, the Knight lead was simply too insurmountable for the Hawks to overcome.
- Ava Renninger paced the Knights with 18 points.
- Renninger converted four shots from deep, all in the second half.
- The sophomore picked up six assists and four rebounds as well.
- Akeelah Lafleur had a breakout performance for FDU, scoring a career-high 11 points.
- Lafleur went 5-7 from the field including a make from downtown.
- Reese Downey also poured in a career-high, scoring ten points.
- Eight of Downey's points came in the first quarter; she was the game's leading scorer at halftime.
- Downey also grabbed four boards and dished two assists.
- FDU picked up the win despite getting out-rebounded 30 to 28.
- The Knights won the turnover battle 17 to 18.
FDU will host Lafayette on Thursday, December 4. Tip-off will come at 7 p.m. in the Bogota Savings Bank Center. Coverage will be available on NEC Front Row.
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.
