STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – FDU women's basketball (14-4, 5-0) pulled out a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Wagner (6-10, 2-3) on Thursday night. The Knights defeated the Seahawks by a score of 56-46.
The mid-week bout in Staten Island started off as a defensive slugfest. The Knights and Seahawks combined for just five made field goals across the entire first quarter. The offensive struggles for both teams continued into the second quarter. Ava Renninger hit a jumper in the opening minute of the second stanza to extend the Knights' lead. That would be the only made field goal by either team until the 3:47 mark of the quarter.
The offense for both sides slowly picked up at the end of the first half, resulting in a 17-17 tie heading into the halftime break.
Wagner came out with some fire in the third quarter. The Seahawks jumped ahead with a pair of buckets at the seven-minute mark, and would proceed to hold the lead through the remainder of the quarter. The Knights hung around thanks to some ace three-point shooting from Kailee McDonald, but went into the fourth quarter trailing 32-30.
When the fourth quarter came around, so did the shot-making from Ava Renninger. The sophomore guard exploded in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 points to help bring the Knights back ahead. Her night was highlighted by a three-point play with 1:48 to go, increasing the FDU lead from four to seven, putting one of the final touches on the victory.
- Ava Renninger led the way for the Knights, scoring 17 points.
- 11 of Renninger's 17 points came in the fourth quarter.
- The sophomore went a perfect 7-for-7 from the line.
- Madlena Gerke joined Renninger in double figures, scoring 11 points.
- Gerke picked up three steals on the defensive end to boot.
- Kailee McDonald scored nine points on three makes from downtown.
- McDonald has knocked down multiple three-pointers in 15 of the Knights' 18 contests in 2025-26.
- FDU and Wagner combined for 38 turnovers, and 31 fouls.
The Knights will head to Brooklyn to face LIU in a battle for the top of the NEC standings. Tip-off will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 17. 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.
