HACKENSACK, N.J. – FDU women's basketball (23-4, 14-0) picked up a 66-52 win over Chicago State (8-19, 7-7) on Thursday night. With the win, head coach Stephanie Gaitley recorded her 750th career victory.
The Knights were met with some stiff competition from the Cougars to open the game. Chicago State came out firing from deep in the first quarter, and remained within two possessions of the Knights for the entirety of the frame. FDU was still able to hold onto a lead, behind seven first quarter points from Madlena Gerke.
FDU pulled away at the close of the second quarter. The Knights finished the half on an 11-2 run, engineered by a three-point barrage from Gerke and Kailee McDonald. The Knights went into the halftime break with a 36-24 lead.
Into the second half, the Knights turned to their defense to help pull out a win. FDU held the Cougars to just four made field goals in the third quarter, allowing the Knights to pull away. FDU would lead by as many as 23 in the fourth quarter. Chicago State would go on a late run to lessen the Knights' margin, but it proved too little, too late for the Cougars.
- FDU head coach Stephanie Gaitley recorded her 750th career win in the victory.
- Gaitley becomes just the fifteenth coach in Division I women's basketball history to reach the 750 win plateau.
- Gaitley is now one of five active coaches to reach the 750 win mark.
- The milestone is another mark in Gaitley's illustrious career, which includes 10 NCAA tournament berths while making stops at six different programs.
- Madlena Gerke led the way in the historic win for the Knights, dropping 18 points.
- Gerke has been red-hot for FDU as of late, averaging 16.8 PPG across the Knights' past four contests.
- Gerke knocked down four threes in the victory; she has made at least four three-pointers in each of her last four games.
- Ava Renninger helped carry the offensive load in the win, scoring 12 points.
- The sophomore also grabbed seven rebounds and recorded four assists.
- FDU stifled the Chicago State attack, holding the Cougars to just a 32.8% mark from the field.
- The Knights narrowly won the rebounding battle, 40-39.
The Knights look to keep rolling as they head to face New Haven on Saturday, February 21. Tip-off will come 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.
