HACKENSACK, N.J. – FDU women's basketball (17-3, 7-0) took down Mercyhurst (7-13, 4-5) by a score of 75-45 on Saturday. The Knights' victory was powered by a career day for freshman point guard
Ava Renninger.
The win extends the FDU win streak to ten games. FDU women's basketball has never had a win streak reach double digits in program history. The Knights also moved to 10-0 at home in the victory.
Renninger started off scorching hot, and helped FDU get a lead right out of the gate. The freshman scored 11 of the Knights 17 points in the first quarter, and continued torching the Lakers throughout the remainder of the first half. Renninger finished the first half with 17 points, accounting for half of FDU's 34 point total in the first twenty. No other Knight scored more than six in the first half.
The Knights offense remained torrid in the second half, completely overwhelming the Lakers. FDU went on a 27-2 run that stretched across the final minutes of the third quarter into the fourth. Renninger continued to power the offense, making shots from all over the court. The Yardley, PA native would go 6-for-8 from downtown, accounting for six of FDU's eight made three-pointers as a team. The impressive shooting display helped Renninger end with a monstrous 28 points. That mark shattered Renninger's previous career-high of 20 points, which she recorded in her first ever collegiate game on Nov. 4 against Dominican.
The star freshman got some key help in FDU's offensive firework show.
Teneisia Brown poured in 13 points of her own, as well as grabbing eight boards and tallying six assists.
Abaigeal Babore also stuffed the stat sheet for FDU, scoring eight points to go with five rebounds and five assists.
The 30-point margin of victory for the Knights is their largest against a Division I opponent this season, and completes a season sweep of Mercyhurst.
THE STATS
- Ava Renninger set a career-high with 28 points in the win
- The mark is also the highest scoring total by any Knights player this season.
- Renninger shot 6-of-8 from downtown in her career day
- Her six 3PM are also the most by any Knights player this season.
- The Knights have now scored at least 70 points in five of seven conference games this season.
- FDU is now sitting at 7-0 in NEC play.
- The program record for best start to conference play is 8-0, set by the 1992-93 Knights squad.
- The Knights dominated Mercyhurst on the boards, out-rebounding the Lakers 40-29.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Knights will head up to New Britain, CT to face CCSU on Thursday, February 6. Tip-off will be at 4 p.m, with coverage on the YES Network.
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.
