Madison, NJ (January 17) – The FDU-Florham Women's Basketball team hosted Lebanon Valley for Wednesday evening MAC Freedom action and was edged by a score of 55-54, in the final minute by the Dutchman.

FDU-Florham (9-6, 2-3 MAC Freedom) suffers it's third MAC Freedom loss of the season but would not of come close to defending Lebanon Valley with out the efforts of Neysa Aguilar (Middlesex, NJ) who collected 17 points and 4 rebounds in tonight's contest, and Shannon Tighe (Wayne, NJ) who had 11 points and 9 rebounds.  
 
Lebanon Valley (10-6, 4-1 MAC Freedom) saw a performance of 18 points and 7 rebounds from Cristina Fernandez.  

After a slow start, the Devils found themselves in the first tie of the game at the 8:34 timestamp, with a score of 3-3. Lebanon Valley settled into their rhythm as they went on a 12-4 run. With a little over three minutes remaining, FDU-Florham started their comeback run to end the quarter within four points, 16-12.

The second quarter proved to be a challenge for both teams as the first three and a half minutes were scoreless until the Devils were able to sink two jumpers to tie the score at 16-16 with six minutes left in the half. 

The score was tied three more times in the second quarter as jump shots and layups were traded between teams. Within the last minute, Christina Centeno (Bayonne, NJ) sunk a three-point basket off the fast break to give the Devils the one-point lead heading into the half, 25-24.

FDU-Florham tried to pull ahead to start the third, but Lebanon Valley was not ready to give up as they found a way to tie the score, 30-30, at the 6:09 timestamp. The Dutchman outscored the Devils 10-2 in the final four minutes of the third quarter, to regain control of the game heading into the final 10 minutes of play, 40-32.

The Devils started the fourth quarter off with a three pointer each from Centeno and Tighe, which brought them within four points of the Dutchman with 7 minutes to play, 42-38. After the score bounced back and forth, the Devils were one point within reach of seeing another tie as Gabrielle Walker (Old Bridge, NJ) laid the ball in the basket with 1:32 remaining.

FDU-Florham's next possession pushed them ahead of Lebanon Valley when Aguilar completed her three-point play from being fouled. Lebanon Valley was seen at the free throw line twice in the final minute, which ultimately helped them pull ahead in the final 10 second and hand FDU-Florham a 55-54 loss.

FDU-Florham shot 34.5-percent (19-for-55) from the floor, 31.3-percent (5-for-16) from three-point range and 78.6-percent (11-for-14) from the free throw line, while Lebanon Valley shot 37.1-percent (23-for-62) from the floor, 16.7-percent (2-for-12) from three point range and 58.3-percent (7-for-12) from the free throw line.

Lebanon Valley scored 28 points in the paint, converted 11 points of FDU-Florham's turnovers, and had 5 fast break points.  
 
For their next contest, FDU-Florham will travel to Stevens on Saturday, January 20 for 1pm MAC Freedom contest.     

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