EASTON, Mass. (January 23, 2025) – FDU took advantage of a slow start from Stonehill College and finished strong in posting a 72-54 victory in a matchup of the top two teams in the Northeast Conference women's basketball standings on Paula Sullivan Court at Merkert Gymnasium tonight.

Postgrad Teneisia Brown led four from FDU in double-figures with a double-double performance of 14 points and a game-high 13 rebounds on 6-of-10 shooting, while junior Lilly Parke led the Knights with 17 points, connecting on 4-of-9 three-pointers, with four rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Postgrad Abby Conklin contributed 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 4-for-7 from beyond the arc, with three assists and two boards. Freshman Ava Renninger rounded out the Knights in double-figures with 13 points, four rebounds and four assists.

Postgrad Kylie Swider and senior Sharn Hayward combined for 35 of Stonehill's 54 points on a combined 15-for-32 shooting (46.9-percent), while the remainder of the team shot 25% (6-for-24), including 3-for-11 (27.3%) from three-point range. Swider posted her team-leading fifth double-double of the season with a game-high 19 points on 9-of-18 shooting, with 11 rebounds (seven offensive). Hayward reached double-figures for the team-leading 15^th time this season with 16 points, connecting on 4-of-10 three-pointers, and two assists.

 

Hayward drained four three-pointers to finish with her 15th double-figure scoring game (PHOTO BY Sophia DiNanno)

FDU never trailed in the contest, holding the lead for all but 42 seconds, grabbing a 12-point lead (17-5) in the opening quarter in which it connected on 9-of-17 shots (52.9%), including 3-for-6 from three. Renninger led the Knights with seven points in the quarter – all coming in a 12-1 FDU run, including a three-pointer that sparked the stretch. Meanwhile, Stonehill started slowly, connecting on 5-of-16 shots in the opening frame (31.3%), including 2-for-7 (28.6%) from long range, led by six points and five boards by Swider.

Stonehill drew back within eight (21-13) heading to the second quarter and Swider opened the scoring in the frame with a layup to pull the Skyhawks within six (21-15), but FDU would keep the hosts at arm's length the rest of the way. Parke answered the Swider basket with a three-pointer and the Knights scored the next seven points for a 13-point margin (28-15) on a Brown floater. Swider and Sias connected from beyond the arc to pull Stonehill back within seven (28-21) midway through the second, but FDU answered again with seven straight for a 14-point cushion (35-21) after a Conklin triple with 3:25 left in the first half.

FDU held a nine-point halftime lead (38-29), and the teams traded baskets over the first three minutes of the third quarter before Stonehill closed the gap to seven (45-38) after a Swider layup at the halfway point of the frame. Postgrad Abby Babore answered with a three and the Knights reclaimed a 12-point margin (54-42) after a three from sophomore Staci Williams with three minutes to go.

Stonehill scratched back within seven (54-47) after a Hayward three-pointer entering the final quarter but shot just 2-for-8 from the floor (25%), including 1-for-3 from long distance, for FDU to seal its ninth straight win. Parke drilled two three-pointers to spark the Knights game-clinching 14-3 run to open the final stanza and push the lead to 18 (68-50) after her second triple with 3:34 to play.
 
Noteworthy

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Stonehill (8-11, 4-2 NEC) will head for the airport tomorrow and is right back in action on Saturday at Chicago State University at 2 p.m. (ET). The Skyhawks return home on Saturday, February 8, to host LIU for their Alumnae Day Game at Merkert Gym at 2 p.m. FDU (16-3, 6-0 NEC) is off until next Saturday, February 1, when it hosts Mercyhurst University at 1 p.m.

Tickets for home Stonehill basketball games can be purchased in advance online at stonehillskyhawks.com/tickets.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and check out its all-new website, powered by Sidearm Sports, at stonehillskyhawks.com.