Stephanie Gaitley confers with her assistant coaches as FDU battled Bucknell Wednesday. (Photo by Ray Floriani/Daly Dose Of Hoops)
TEANECK, N.J. — FDU is off to its best start since the 1991-92 season.
That year saw the Knights get out to an 8-0 start en route to a Northeast Conference title. Last night at Bogota Savings Bank Arena, FDU improved its record to 4-0 as it defeated, Bucknell 67-56. The Bison of the Patriot League fell to 0-3.
Points of emphasis:
Slow start: FDU began in an auspicious manner, with four turnovers in the opening four minutes. Gradually settling down on the offensive end, the Knights found success utilizing a high-low post set with Lilly Parke and Teneisia Brown interchanging positions. Trailing by as much as seven early, Stephanie Gaitley’s group narrowed the deficit to one at the end of the first period.
Defense: Under Gaitley, the emphasis is defense. FDU held Bucknell to three points in the second period. The Bison struggled, hitting only one of 14 attempts from the field. The Knights also hit the glass hard, not allowing second shots on a Bucknell miss.
“We changed defenses a bit to give another look and throw them off balance,” Gaitley said. “We also did a great job rebounding.”
That second period allowed FDU to take a 26-16 lead into the intermission.
Learning to finish: In last Sunday’s win at Mount St. Mary’s, the Knights held a substantial lead entering the fourth period, owning a 17-point cushion. The Mount rallied, getting the deficit to two possessions late before the Knights sealed the verdict from the charity stripe. Last night, the Knights held a 19-point lead entering the final ten minutes. Coach Trevor Woodruff’s Bison found the mark in that final stanza. Bucknell never narrowed the lead to single digits, but there were a few anxious moments on the host side.
“Last year, we were not in this position as much, Gaitley said. “We spent a lot of time coming back in
games, so playing with a big lead has been a new
experience with this group. There is a way to close out the game once you establish that lead, and we are learning how to do it.”
Spreading the wealth: FDU assisted on 15 of its 22
field goals, while placing four players in double figures. Parke led the way for the Knights with 17 points. Abby Conklin, Brown and Abaigeal Babore all contributed 13 apiece. Gaitley cited Parke’s versatility. The 6’2” junior forward can play inside, step out on the perimeter and handle against the press, and set a screen to execute a pick-and/roll. She is FDU’s Swiss Army knife.
“She does a great job, and did so many good things
tonight,” Gaitley praised.
Ashley Sofilkanich: The sophomore was a main concern for the Knights as they prepared for
Bucknell.
“She is effective on both ends,” Gaitley said of Sofilkanich. “She can score and defend. She’s a tough player.”
Sofilkanich, who starred at New Jersey prep power
St. John Vianney, scored a career and game-high 27
points, adding a team-high nine rebounds. She was held in check for three periods before breaking out the final ten minutes, helping Bucknell make one last run. She was proficient in the paint, as well as on the offensive glass during that final stanza. Despite falling to 0-3, she feels the Bison are coming along.
“We played Pitt tough before dropping a
close game,” she said, talking postgame while visiting family and well-wishers. “We came back tonight against a good FDU team. I think we just have to improve our defense a bit as we move on.”
Notes: In a 64-possession contest, FDU held a 106-88 edge in offensive efficiency. FDU shot 45 percent from the floor while limiting Bucknell to 33 percent. FDU won the rebounding battle, 39-34. Largely due to the work of Sofilkanich, the Bison owned a 40-24 advantage on points in the paint. Brown led all rebounders with 11 en route to the Knights’ first double-double of the campaign.
The Shore Conference, regarded as the best high
school girls league in New Jersey, is well represented on the Bucknell roster. Junior guard Ashley O’Connor and Soflikanich were teammates at St. John Vianney. Junior guard Sophia Sabino hails from Vianney’s rival, Red Bank Catholic.
Bucknell entered the game with an 0-2 mark, having dropped games at Penn State and Pitt. The Bison visit Merrimack Saturday before their home opener next Wednesday against Mount St. Mary’s.
The game’s first free throw was not attempted until just under five minutes remained in the second period. Given road games and practices, it’s been a tough recent stretch for FDU.
“We’ll give them off tomorrow,” Gaitley said, “then get back and get ready for Syracuse.” The Knights face the Orange on Sunday before continuing the road trip with a visit to UConn on Wednesday.
It was the first home game since Gaitley won her
700th career game. The veteran mentor hit that
milestone in last Friday’s win at American. A number of fans, and media members, joined in to offer her their congratulations on an outstanding achievement.
Northeast Conference Supervisor of Officials Jon
Levinson was in attendance to observe the crew.
FDU players sign autographs for fans after defeating Bucknell. (Photo by Ray Floriani/Daly Dose Of Hoops)
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