ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (December 20, 2018) - The FDU-Florham women's basketball team was knocked off by Wisconsin Lutheran 58-49 Thursday evening.

FDU falls to 4-6 on the season, and will close out 2018 with a home contest against Johns Hopkins on December 29 at 2 p.m.

The Devils opened the scoring courtesy of a layup by junior Cayla Staggers, but were held off the board for the next five minutes as the Warriors opened up an 8-2 lead. Senior Kayla Croswell converted a layup with 1:29 left in the first period, but the Devils entered the second frame trailing 10-6.

After closing to within two on a jumper by junior Jennah Roman, Wisconsin Lutheran embarked on a 12-0 run to open up a double-digit lead. Junior Breion Knox scored the games next five points, however the Warriors tallied the five points of the quarter to head into halftime with a 15 point lead.

The Warriors took their biggest of the lead of the game with 7:04 left in the third, going in front 34-17. The Devils answered with a 10-0 spurt, with Staggers pumping in six points during the rally. A layup ended the run, but Roman drilled a jumper with 42 seconds left in the stanza, pulling the team to within six at 38-32 leading into the fourth quarter.

FDU began the fourth with five straight tallies, capped with a free throw from freshman Arian Coleman. The two sides traded baskets, before the Warriors went on a 9-0 run, jumping up by 10 within just 4:30 left. The Devils were unable to get any closer than six the rest of the way, as Wisconsin Lutheran hit a trio of free throws down the stretch to close out the game.

INSIDE THE BOX

• Staggers set a new career-high with 19 points, besting her previous best of 17 set last night.
• Knox chipped in seven points off the bench.
• FDU shot 50% (13-of-26) from the field in the second half while holding the Warriors to 37.9% over the final 20 minutes.
• The Devils committed just two turnovers in the second half, and outscored Wisconsin Lutheran 36-30.