Madison, NJ (January 18, 2020)- FDU Women's Basketball fell in a Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom match-up at home on Saturday by a score of 76-66. With the loss, the Devils fall to 2-13 overall and 0-4 in the MAC Freedom while King's College improves to 10-5 overall and 4-0 in the conference.
 
FIRST HALF
The game was back and forth early as both teams traded buckets to start the contest. FDU got the scoring started with a jumper from Senior Cayla Staggers off a pass from freshman Jayda Bing. The Monarchs would answer immediately, tying the score 2-2. King's scored five of the next seven points before sophomore Helen Ishmael responded driving to the rack for two, cutting the lead to one at 7:01 in the first quarter. FDU would take their only lead on the following possession when it was Ishmael again, this time on a dish from Staggers. The Monarchs had the response however, going on a 10-0 run to take a 17-8 lead at the 3:20 mark. King's would close out the quarter up 25-13.

FDU would get on the board quickly in the second quarter with senior Jennah Roman driving to the lane for a layup. The Monarchs would respond with four straight points, before junior Aleah Bass scored her first points of the game, King's led 29-17 at the 6:23 mark. From there, the Monarchs would outscore the Devils 14-to-9 to take a 43-26 halftime lead. In the half, Bass scored 6 points off the bench to lead all FDU scorers.
 
SECOND HALF
 
Bing set the tone in the half for the Devils, as she nailed a jumper with 9:47 left on the clock in the third quarter. The made basket sparked an 18-11 run by the Devils. During the offensive surge, the senior duo of Roman and Staggers both hit a pair of free throws. Freshman Angela Downey got in on the action at the 1:06 mark, when she made a three-pointer off of an assist by Roman. Bass continued her active play in the post, as she added a layup at the 2:47 mark, off of an assist by Staggers. 

To start the fourth quarter, Bing made good of an attempt in the paint as she cut the Devils deficit to single digits. On the ensuing possession, a stellar defensive effort by Bass resulted in a Monarch turnover. On the other end of the court, Bing used a pass from Roman to cut the King's lead to 56-51. Bass flexed her defensive skills once more at the 7:43 mark, when she stole the basketball away from the Monarchs and then took the ball to the hoop for a made two-point field goal. Now trailing 62-55 Roman assisted to Downey, who knocked down a three-pointer, to cut the King's lead to just four. The King's offense became too overpowering, as they extended and held on to their lead, to secure the 76-66 victory.
 
CAREER NIGHT 
Bass posted career digits in the contest. The Junior surpassed her previous game scoring-high, as she totaled 14 points. Bass also added eight rebounds and a career-high five blocked shots. 
 
LEAVING WHERE SHE LEFT OFF
With 15 points, Bing eclipsed that plateau for the fifth time on this season and the second consecutive game. 
 
NOT 1, NOT 2....
For the sixth time this season, Downey has recorded at least three made three-pointers in a game. The freshman leads all Devils in this mark, with 32. 

FROM THE COACH
"Our goal was to win the first quarter. That would of put us in a great position come the second half. We fought and we fought hard. We got better today." - Head Coach Melissa Brooks

NEXT UP
The Devils continue the 2019-20 MAC Freedom slate, as they visit Delaware Valley on Wednesday, for an 8 PM start time.