HACKENSACK, N.J.- The FDU Knights (8-14, 5-1 NEC) lost to the Binghamton Bearcats (11-7, 2-3 America East) in three sets on Tuesday in the Knights' last non-conference game of the season. Tonight's match marked the start of a seven match home stand for FDU. Isabella Scarfone recorded her third double-double of the season with 21 assists and a career best 22 digs.
The Knights stayed even early in the first set, tying the score at 3-3 following a Binghamton attack error and at 4-4 on Mila Samardzija's kill. The visiting Bearcats created the separation the Knights could not erase, scoring five straight after the Knights were within 12-10 to make it 17-10 before taking the set 25-19.
The Knights added three late points after Binghamton reached 24-16, including kills from Angela Marchetto and Samardzija and a block by Marchetto and Samardzija. The Bearcats held on and secured the final point to take set one.
The Knights battled back after Binghamton used a five-point service run to turn an 8-7 edge into a 13-7 lead in the second set. Mila Samardzija led the Knights' response with four kills, including two after Binghamton had stretched the margin into the later stages.
The Knights scored three straight points after trailing 24-15, getting a kill from Alessia Zampieri before she assisted Nina Jasiecka on a deflection. The Bearcats closed the set with one more point, 25-18.
The Knights opened the third set with four straight points with the run consisting of three aces from Isabella Scarfone, and a Samardzija kill which Scarfone assisted. The Knights were still in front 16-10 after a Marchetto and Scarfone block, but Binghamton tied the set at 18-18 and moved ahead 19-18. The Knights pulled within 24-22 on a Zampieri kill before Binghamton closed out the set, 25-22.
This weekend, the Knights host the LIU Sharks on Friday and Saturday as the Knights resume NEC play. The match on Friday will be livestremaed on NEC Front Row at 6 p.m.
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