PURCHASE, N.Y. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham women's basketball team saw its six-game win streak come to an end, as the Devils stumbled at Manhattanville College 66-59 on Wednesday night in MAC Freedom play.
Despite the loss, the Devils (16-6, 8-3 MAC Freedom) remain in second place in the conference, while the Valiants, (15-6, 7-4 MAC Freedom) who earn their first victory over FDU-Florham since the 2010-11 season, are tied with Delaware Valley for third.
In defeat, reining MAC Freedom Player of the Week and Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Player of the Week, Shalette Brown amassed her seventh straight double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Brown, Alyssa McDonough and Rachel Groom each played all 40 minutes for the Devils on the night.
The Valiants shot 51.7 percent from the floor, including a torrid 58 percent effort in the second stanza, and did an excellent job sharing the basketball with 21 assists in the win. The efficient shooting percentage is the highest by a Devils' opponent this season.
Candice Scott-Mason tallied 12 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals on the night as four Valiants scored in double-figures in the win.
The Devils jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the early going following a Rachel Groom layup, however, the host Valiants closed the frame strong, forcing three turnovers and hitting five of their last eight shots for a 16-15 edge through one quarter of play.
In the second period, it was the Devils who heated up down the stretch as Brown led a 10-2 run over the final four minutes. Danielle Leguillou capped the first half by knocking down a trey as the horn sounded, which sent FDU-Florham into the break with a 32-28 lead.
McDonough led all scorers at the break with 13 points on 50 percent shooting. The second-year guard also grabbed three rebounds and doled out two assists in the stanza. Brown was well on her way to the double-double with eight points and six rebounds through the first 20 minutes despite struggling at the free throw line with a 2-for-8 performance.
For Manhattanville, Speedy senior guard Bri Pabon paced the home team with 10 points, including a pair of treys. Pabon finished with 12 points, four steals and three assists on the night.
The Valiants erased the halftime deficit with solid defense and a hot-shooting third quarter. Over the course of the third period, the Valiants converted 10-of-15 shots, while forcing five Devils turnovers and led 49-45 entering the final frame. Joaida Darnell and Scott-Mason each tallied six points for Manhattanville during the lead-changing quarter.
With the lead in hand, the Valiants continued their surge into the fourth quarter and limited the Devils to just three made baskets, while stretching their lead to 11 points, 62-51 with 3:55 to go. Manhattanville received a spark from Raaf, who tallied nine points over that span, including a pair of up-and-under layups.
A 6-0 run in the final minutes allowed the Devils to claw within five, 62-57 but they were unable to get any closer before the final horn.
McDonough scored 19 points and totaled five points and five assists in the loss, while Groom finished with eight points and seven boards.
FDU-Florham returns to action with another tough test this Saturday, February 13 when they travel to Center Valley, Pa. to take on the top team in the conference, DeSales University at 1 p.m.
