WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – This season, the Devils have shown how relentless and vigorous their defense is by wreaking havoc on their opponents and forcing a plethora of turnovers. However, what they accomplished on Wednesday night in their 86-41 victory over King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. was astonishing.
In one of their strongest defensive outings all season, the Devils (20-0, 9-0 Freedom) held the Monarchs (8-12, 4-5 Freedom) to 20 percent shooting for the game and just nine first half points on three made baskets. Going up against the Devils hounding defense, the Monarchs struggled offensively and they did not score until Olivia Hoffman went to the free throw line with just over eight minutes to play in the first half.
By using the 3-point shot, the Devils were able to take advantage of the struggling Monarchs and jump out to an early 22-0 lead. The deficit began to grow larger as the Devils continued to score with efficiency and with three minutes left in the first half, FDU-Florham held a 41-4 advantage. Senior guard Leigh-Ann Lively (Bangor, Pa.) sank three 3-pointers while also reeling in 11 rebounds in the half. She finished the game with 12 points and a career-high 12 boards for her first career double-double.
Lively was one of five members of the Devils to score in double figures. Senior Kyra Dayon (Trenton, N.J.) led the charge with 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while junior guard Alicia Cox (Vineland, N.J.) added 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field.
The Devils made nine 3-pointers in the first half and with a 44-9 lead entering the second half, they were able to cruise the rest of the way. As the Monarchs mistakes began to pile up, the Devils capitalized and scored 29 points off the Monarchs' 24 turnovers. Senior forward Delisha Thompson (East Orange, N.J.) had four of the Devils' 21 steals and she supplied help on the offensive end with 10 points.
With every player scoring for the Devils, they were able to receive a large contribution from their bench. Lively and junior guard Alyssa McDonough (Parlin, N.J.) both came off the bench and provided an immediate spark for the Devils as the bench totaled 36 points in the game. McDonough buried three 3-pointers in the contest and scored 12 points to go along with six rebounds.
The Devils were also extremely aggressive on the boards as they out rebounded the Monarchs 53 to 38. 21 of the team's 53 rebounds came on the offensive end.
FDU-Florham will look to pick up another conference road win as they head to St. Davids, Pa. to face off against the Eastern University Eagles on Saturday, February 7, at 1 p.m.
