HACKENSACK, N.J. – #1 FDU is set to defend their conference title and compete in the 2026 NEC Tournament. The Knights will host #8 Saint Francis in the NEC Quarterfinals on Monday night. 
 

Prior to FDU

• WHEN: Monday, March 9, 7 p.m.
• WHERE: Bogota Savings Bank Center (Hackensack, N.J.)
• WATCH: NEC Front Row
• LISTEN: WFDU
• STATS: FDUKnights.com
• NEC Championship Headquarters

COUNTING THE CAVALRY

• FDU heads into the post-season with a 27-4 record, the most wins in regular season program history.
• The Knights went a perfect 18-0 in regular season conference play, one of just three teams in the nation (UConn, UCLA) to accomplish such a feat.
• FDU became just the second program in NEC history to complete back-to-back undefeated conference regular season campaigns (Monmouth, 1986-88).
• Ava Renninger and Kailee McDonald share the scoring load for FDU, each averaging 12.2 PPG.
• Madlena Gerke averaged 11.5 PPG in the regular season, while also leading the team with 1.4 SPG.

RECENT HISTORY

• FDU went 2-0 against Saint Francis during the 2025-26 regular season.
• The Knights defeated the Red Flash 73-28 on January 4, and ended the regular season against them with a 61-39 win on March 5.
• Kailee McDonald led the Knights in scoring in both wins over SFU this season. McDonald scored 13 points on January 2, followed by 17 points on March 5.
• The Knights have held Saint Francis to a field goal percentage under 30% in both meetings this season.

SCOUTING THE RED FLASH

• Saint Francis enters the NEC Tournament as the #8 seed following a 3-15 campaign in conference.
• The Red Flash are led by acting head coach Raphael McNeill.
• Shelby Ricks leads the way for SFU, scoring a team-high 11.5 PPG.
• Aleah James helps carry the scoring load, averaging 10.6 PPG across 27 games this season.

COMING SOON

The winner between #1 FDU and #8 Saint Francis U will head to the NEC Semifinals, held on Thursday, March 12.