FDU survives and advances in NEC quarterfinal

By Ray Floriani (@rfloriani)

TEANECK, N.J. — The season, per the coaching axiom, is divided into threes: The non-conference, the conference games and finally, the postseason. 

FDU started its new season in convincing fashion, defeating LIU in the quarterfinals of the Northeast Conference tournament, 71-59. The victory at the Bogota Savings Bank Center saw the Knights improve to 14-16 while LIU ended its campaign at 8-22 (5-11).

FDU will now travel to Syracuse to face second-seeded Le Moyne, a 79-59 winner over Stonehill. The Knights used a combination of a strong inside presence, as well as their well chronicled lockdown defense, to advance.

The points of emphasis:

Inside/out: FDU started the contest looking inside to Teneisia Brown. The 6’2” senior center was a matchup problem for the Sharks. A strong post presence, Brown showed the versatility to step out and hit the mid-range jumper. LIU built an early seven-point lead before FDU responded with an 8-0 run of its own. The Sharks relied mainly on the perimeter.

“When we played them in the regular season, they went inside more,” FDU coach Stephanie Gaitley said. “(Monday), they changed and went small.”

First four minutes: FDU led at halftime, 39-30. The Knights opened the third period strong as Lilly Parke drained a three from the top of the key, then finished a strong move to the basket, both in the first minute. 

FDU won the initial four minutes by a 10-3 count, building a 49-33 at the six minute mark, and would enter the final period with a 55-38 lead. The visitors were limited to eight points and just one field goal, a Mariah Elohim three-pointer.

Chemistry and confidence: Those two words were frequently mentioned by the FDU players and Gaitley after a win that marked the Knights’ eighth in the last ten outings. The lone losses were to Le Moyne and Sacred Heart. Since the beginning of February, FDU has become a team that has progressed admirably, and seemingly gotten better each night out.

“We just have great chemistry,” said Abby Conklin, a 10-point scorer on the night and the NEC’s Most Improved Player. “We may have a shot, but give it up to a teammate with a better shot.”

Gaitley also alluded to that all important, sometimes elusive, intangible.

“Early in my coaching career, I asked Jim Lynam (a former college and NBA mentor), what would he prefer, more talent or better chemistry? He answered chemistry. Here, we have a group that wants to win for each other.”

The chemistry evident in this group has also built its confidence as the season has progressed. Facing an arduous non-league slate, FDU started with one win prior to conference play. The Knights are now a poised team that shares the ball and exudes that positive state of mind the minute it walks on the floor. Even discussing Thursday’s semifinal meeting with Le Moyne, a team that swept FDU this season, Gaitley said, “we’re happy with the draw. We look forward to it.”

Ending: LIU head coach Rene Haynes missed the majority of the season due to maternity leave. In her absence, associate head coach Chris Dunn guided the team. Dunn felt the start mirrored the Sharks campaign.

“We came out (strong) early and executed,” he said.

After the favorable start, FDU responded. LIU did not have an answer, especially for Brown.

“It’s been an up and down season,” Dunn said. “I told the team afterward, just appreciate the moment.”

Down 21 with three minutes left, LIU kept after it, making a run that made the final tally a bit more respectable, led by Elohim with 16 points while Ashley Austin added 15. The Sharks shot 39 percent overall and 38 percent from long distance.

Brown dominant: Teneisia Brown of FDU finished with a game-high 30 points. Brown shot 13-of-20 from the floor, while adding 10 rebounds to complete a double-double. She had 20 of her points in the first half. A first team All-NEC selection, Brown is a presence in the post and extremely effective on the offensive glass. Her offensive rebounding percentage rate is a team-leading 13 percent. One rival coach noted, “what makes FDU so dangerous is they have Brown inside surrounded by four shooters.” On this night, the balance was evident with four FDU players in double figures. Besides Brown, Parke and Abaigeal Babore scored 11 and Conklin 10.

Notes: In a 66-possession game, FDU owned a 108-89 advantage in offensive efficiency. The Knights shot 43 percent from the floor and 35 percent from beyond the arc, also winning the rebounding battle by a 38-30 count with Brown’s 10 boards a game-high.

FDU’s coaching tree is partially rooted in LIU. Gaitley formerly coached at the Brooklyn school. Her predecessor, Angelika Szumilo, now at Iona, played at LIU for Seton Hall coach Tony Bozzella.

NEC commissioner Noreen Morris was in attendance. Also on hand were supervisor of officials Jon Levinson and observer Marty Novitch, formerly a MAAC supervisor.