CHICAGO, IL – FDU women's basketball (20-3, 10-0) defeated Chicago State (3-23, 3-8) on the road Thursday night by a score of 74-70.
The win moves FDU to 10-0 in conference play. The Knights have become the first NEC team since Robert Morris in 2019-20 to start off 10-0 in conference play.
FDU won an absolute thriller. The Knights and Cougars battled close throughout the first half, and FDU went into the halftime break leading 39-33. The Knights closed the first half on a nice run, capped by a jump shot by Ava Renninger before time expired. Renninger went off in the first half for the Knights, scoring 14 points across the first twenty minutes.
FDU kept cooking into the third quarter. After Chicago State battled back to tie the game, the Knights went for a big 7-0 run to pull ahead 48-41 at the five minute mark of the third.
Chicago State immediately jumped back in the game, a common occurrence.
The Knights wound up leading by just one heading into the final moments of the third, when Teneisia Brown converted a buzzer beater to put the Knights up 59-56 heading into the final frame.
FDU proceeded to control things through the start of the fourth. That was until Chicago State found a different gear with just a few minutes to go. The Cougars, after trailing 72-58, ripped off a 12-0 run to make it just a two-point game with under a minute to go.
The Knights found themselves ahead 72-70 with possession of the ball and 42.9 seconds left. However as they hunted for the final blow, Lilly Parke was called for a travel, turning the ball back over into the hands of Chicago State with 15 seconds left.
The Cougars had the ball with a chance to either win the game or send things to overtime. That's when Abaigeal Babore stepped up to make a heroic play. Babore knocked the ball loose at mid-court, and found her self in a tangle for possession. A jump ball was called with possession arrow favoring FDU.
On the ensuing possession, Babore was fouled and put at the line. She sunk both free throws to put the Knights up 74-70, and secured the victory.
THE STATS
- FDU was led by the duo of Abaigeal Babore and Ava Renninger in the victory.
- Both Babore and Renninger scored 17 points, and combined for four makes from downtown.
- Babore posted an impressive statline of 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists and a steal.
- Renninger added to her 17 points with eight rebounds, two steals, and a block.
- Teneisia Brown recorded a double-double for a third straight game.
- Brown scored 16 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.
- Lilly Parke contributed 11 points and three steals for the Knights in the victory.
- FDU won the rebounding margin 39-to-35.
- With the win, the Knights have recorded 20 wins. It is just the third time in program history FDU has won 20 games in a season, and the first since 2022-23.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Knights will return home to New Jersey, and host LIU in a quick turnaround on Saturday, February 15. Tip-off for that game will come at 1:00 p.m, with coverage available on NEC Front Row.
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.
