Fairleigh Dickinson Women's Hoops Drops 81-73 Decision to Quinnipiac in NEC Tourney

Trenton, NJ - Kim Misiaszek scored 25 points and four other Quinnipiac players scored in double figures to lead the Braves (16-12) to an 81-73 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson (11-17) in opening round action at the Northeast Conference Tournament.

Fairleigh Dickinson freshman Natallia Marchanka (Rechitsa, Belarus/Republic School of Olympic Reserve) led all scorers with 33 points.  The All-NEC Rookie selection made 11-of-16 shots from the field, including a five-for-nine effort from three-point range.  Marchanka also posted game-highs in assists (nine) and steals (five). Seniors Tommica Woods (Fairfax, VA/Fairfax), 11 points, and Melanie Prol (Sparta, NJ/Sparta), 10, were also in double figures for the Knights. Misiaszek finished the afternoon seven-for-17 from the floor and 11-for-12 from the free throw line. 

Freshman Ashlee Kelly, 17 points, sophomore Kara Cassidy, 14 points, freshman Sara Esidore, 13 points, and senior Colleen Klopp, 12 points, were also in double figures for Quinnipiac. 

FDU led 41-37 at the half, before Quinnipiac opened the second half with a 27-11 run.  A free throw by Kelly pushed the Braves' lead to 12, 64-52, with 7:12 to play. Esidore scored five points in the game-turning run. Marchanka would keep the Knights in the game, however, scoring 18 of her team's final 23 points. Quinnipiac finished the game 23-for-28 (82.1 percent) from the free throw line and shot 53.8 percent (14-for-26) from the field in the second half.  The Braves outrebounded the Knights, 38-34.