Fairleigh Dickinson University Women’s Basketball Team Clinches NEC Tournament Title
The women’s basketball team from Fairleigh Dickinson University secured a commanding victory over Long Island University, finalizing the score at 79-57 on Sunday to clinch the NEC Tournament title. This triumph means the Knights will be participating in the NCAA Tournament, marking their second consecutive appearance after securing their place in last year’s competition under the leadership of third-year coach Stephanie Gaitley. Fairleigh Dickinson boasts an impressive record of 30 wins and 4 losses, bolstered by a remarkable 22-game winning streak entering the national stage.
Standout Performances
A standout performance came from Akeelah Lafleur, who contributed significantly from the bench with 15 points, shooting 75% from the field including a perfect three-point shooting performance. Leah Crosby and Ava Renninger both achieved double-doubles, with Crosby recording 10 points and 14 rebounds, while Renninger added 13 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Their effectiveness was complemented by fellow substitutes Bella Toomey and Reese Downey, who each contributed 12 points, the latter sinking 80% of her three-point attempts. Kailee McDonald also played a pivotal role with 11 points.
Long Island’s Efforts
For Long Island, third-seeded in the tournament and coached by Neil Harrow, Kadidia Toure emerged as the leading scorer with 28 points and nine rebounds, while Hannah Humphrey contributed 12 points, including three three-pointers. Long Island last qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2001.
Game Highlights
The game began with Toure’s impressive performance, helping Long Island establish an early lead at 8-2. However, Fairleigh Dickinson responded with a swift 10-0 run, led by Crosby’s five points and a three-pointer from McDonald, closing the first quarter at 12-8. The Knights continued to build momentum, starting the second quarter on an additional 16-0 run, ultimately heading into halftime with a comfortable 38-22 lead.
Though the Sharks managed to keep pace in the third quarter, a late three-pointer from Downey further extended Fairleigh Dickinson’s lead to 56-37. Notably, FDU’s bench outscored Long Island’s reserves significantly, dominating the first half 13-0 and maintaining the edge with a 28-5 margin in the second half.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, the Knights establish themselves firmly on the national stage, bringing anticipation for their performance in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
