WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (January 11, 2017) -- A dominant 21 point performance from freshman Taiah Thornton led the Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team to a 69-59 Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom victory over King's College (Pa.) on the road Wednesday night. 

The Devils jump to 12-2 on the season and remain undefeated in the conference at 3-0 as the Monarchs fell to 2-11 and 0-3 in the MAC Freedom. 

Thornton was everywhere for the Devils, going 9-for-16 and grabbing seven rebounds and three steals.

FDU-Florham struggled to hold off the determined Monarchs in the first half, giving up the lead twice and leaving the half tied at 31 each. The Devils shot an uncharacteristically low 29.27 shooting percentage in the first half, allowing King's to stay within reach.

Monarchs Kasey Seitz opened up the second half with a three-pointer to grab the lead but a layup from senior Alyssa McDonough and a go-ahead jumper from Thornton finally put the Devils up for good in the triumph. 

FDU-Florham came out with a venegance in the second half and dethroned the Monarchs with a 52.17 shooting percentage compared to King's 34.62 percent. 

The veteran pair of McDonough and Rachel Groom sparked the Devils attack as they combined for a total of 28 points. McDonough notched a double-double in the night with 11 points and 15 rebounds, including three steals as Groom nabbed 17 points and nine rebounds. 

With just five minutes remaining in the contest, Monarchs Kayla Dillinger sunk one from behind the arc to close the scoring gap at 59-53. Then a steal from King's Seitz put the Devils in dangerous territory, but a huge block from Groom and a follow-up three-pointer from freshman Jennah Roman re-shifted the momentum in favor of FDU-Florham for the remaining the minutes of the match to earn the win. 

The Monarchs were led by Kayla Feairheller who recorded 14 points in the night. 

The Devils return home to host DeSales University on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. in the Ferguson Recreation Center.