HACKENSACK, N.J. – #1 FDU defeated #5 Le Moyne by a score of 71-51 in the 2026 NEC Semifinals on Thursday night. With the win, FDU advances to the 2026 NEC Championship.
Ava Renninger engineered the Knights offense early, helping FDU get out to a hot start. The sophomore guard scored seven points in the first quarter as the Knights jumped out to a 17-8 start. FDU also got their defense into form in the first quarter. The Knights held Le Moyne scoreless across the final four minutes.
FDU kept the offense up in the second quarter, building themselves a 36-18 lead heading into the halftime break. Rebecca Osei-Owusu led the Knights in the second, scoring eight points, all in the paint.
Le Moyne made some adjustments at halftime, coming out hot to start the second half. The Dolphins began the third quarter on a 12-3 run, tightening the FDU lead to just 11 points and prompting a timeout from head coach Stephanie Gaitley.
Gaitley's timeout worked. After talking things over, FDU closed the third quarter by out-scoring Le Moyne 14-5. FDU took a 20-point lead into the last ten minutes of regulation.
Le Moyne kept pace with FDU during the fourth quarter, but they were unable to pull ahead. With two minutes left, the Knights were able to pull their starters and close out a victory.
The win advances FDU to the NEC Championship for the second time in as many years.
- Ava Renninger shone in the win for FDU, scoring 21 points and grabbing ten rebounds.
- The performance marked the first career double-double for Renninger.
- The sophomore also added five assists in the win.
- Renninger shot an efficient 9-of-13 from the field.
- Madlena Gerke joined Renninger in double figures, scoring 13 points.
- Gerke hit three triples, and grabbed eight rebounds.
- The Latvian also stood out on defense, blocking three shots and recording two steals.
- Rebecca Osei-Owusu finished two rebounds shy of a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing eight boards.
- Osei-Owusu shot 6-of-10, and made her impact felt in just 23 minutes of action.
- FDU dominated Le Moyne on the glass, out-rebounding the Dolphins 43-31.
FDU heads to the 2026 NEC Championship as they look to repeat as conference champions. The Knights will face #3 LIU on Sunday, March 15. Tip-off will come at 12 p.m. Television coverage will be available on ESPNU, with the radio call on WFDU.
Connect with FDU Women's Basketball on X and Instagram, @FDUKnightsWBB.
Greater Alliance Federal Credit Union is the official sponsor of the 2026 FDU women's basketball postseason.
