HACKENSACK, N.J. – FDU women's basketball (26-4, 17-0) picked up a convincing 82-49 win over LIU (18-10, 13-4) on Saturday afternoon. The win came after the Knights celebrated graduate student Madlena Gerke on Senior Day.
FDU took a convincing lead after the first quarter, following a dominant close to the quarter. FDU ended the first frame on a 24-3 run, allowing just one field goal to the Sharks across an eight and a half minute stretch. The Knights held a 30-8 lead heading into the second quarter. The perimeter shooting was present for the Knights early on. Madlena Gerke, Kailee McDonald, and Akeelah Lafleur combined for five three-pointers in the first half alone, catapulting the lead.
The Knights' offense slowed down in the second quarter. FDU was held to just two made field goals on 16 attempts across the quarter. Despite the cold shooting, FDU was able to keep pace with the Sharks thanks to success at the charity stripe. The Knights knocked down all six attempts at the free throw line during the quarter. LIU would outscore FDU 14 to ten across the second, but the large first quarter lead for the Knights helped them remain ahead by eighteen at the halftime break.
To start off the second half, FDU ripped off a 13-3 run, taking full control of the pace of the game. The frontcourt combo of Lafleur, Rebecca Osei-Owusu, and Bella Toomey helped to engineer that run and give FDU a comfortable cushion heading into the fourth quarter.
FDU cruised through the fourth quarter, dropping 26 points thanks to four threes across the frame. Lafleur again showed out for FDU, hitting two late threes to put a bow on things. As the final buzzer sounded, FDU walked away with their 36th straight win in NEC play.
- Kailee McDonald led the way for the Knights in the win, scoring 18 points.
- McDonald knocked down four threes and also grabbed nine rebounds.
- Akeelah Lafleur impressed in just eight minutes of game-time, scoring 11 points.
- Lafleur knocked down a career-high three triples in the win.
- Madlena Gerke, Leah Crosby, and Reese Downey all reached double figures, scoring ten points.
- Ava Renninger grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds to go with eight points and five assists.
- FDU dominated the glass, out-rebounding LIU 53 to 26.
FDU will wrap up the 2025-26 regular season on Thursday, March 5 against Saint Francis. Tip-off in Hackensack will be 11 a.m, with coverage available on NEC Front Row. The Knights will celebrate Kids Day in the Bogota Savings Bank Center.
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.
