ERIE, PA. – FDU women's basketball (10-4, 1-0) picked up their first win of NEC play on Friday evening in a 68-46 victory over Mercyhurst (0-12, 0-1).
The Knights jumped out to a good start, taking an 18-10 lead after the first quarter. Defense helped power the Knights in the first half, as they started to clamp down on Mercyhurst in the second quarter. The Lakers were held without a field goal for the first six and a half minutes of the second quarter.
On the flip side, the Knights had the offense clicking early. FDU scored 34 points in the first half in a balanced effort. Seven different Knights tallied points before the halftime break, and four Knights had at least six. Leah Crosby led the charge into halftime with seven points.
The perimeter shooting was also working for the Knights in the first half. FDU shot 6-of-12 from range across the first 20 minutes. Kailee McDonald and Reese Downey each knocked down a pair in the first half.
When the second half started, the Rebecca Osei-Owusu show started as well. Osei-Owusu came out red-hot to start the second half, scoring nine points on 4-of-5 shooting in the third quarter alone. The junior would wind up scoring 13 points in the second half, while also grabbing six rebounds and two steals in just 13 second half minutes.
Osei-Owusu's presence down low helped the Knights run away with the victory over the course of the final 20. The Brooklyn, N.Y. native finished the game with a career-high 17 points in total.
- Rebecca Osei-Owusu had a career night, leading FDU with 17 points and ten rebounds.
- The 17 points mark a new career-high for Osei-Owusu, topping her previous mark of ten (12/10 at Saint Peter's).
- The junior also recorded her first career double-double in the victory.
- Osei-Owusu's 17 points came on efficient 8-of-11 shooting.
- The Brooklyn, N.Y. native picked up two steals as well.
- Joi Johnson joined Osei-Owusu in double figures with ten points.
- Johnson's ten points tie a career-high, set earlier this season against Notre Dame (11/5).
- Ava Renninger also reached double figures with ten points of her own.
- FDU shut down Mercyhurst on the perimeter, holding the Lakers to 3-of-21 shooting from deep.
- The Knights dominated on the glass, winning the rebounding battle 49 to 24.
- The Knights have now won 20 straight games against NEC opponents, dating back to 2024-25.
FDU stays on the road in Pennsylvania, facing Saint Francis U on Sunday, January 4. Tip-off in Loretto, Pa. is at 1 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 2025-26 FDU women's basketball season.
