Le Moyne Women’s Basketball Falls to FDU at Home

It was a hard-fought game on their home court as the Le Moyne College women’s basketball team squared off against the NEC-leading FDU Knights. Despite their best efforts, the Dolphins couldn’t quite get there, losing 56-41 at Ted Grant Court.

This defeat puts the Dolphins at 5-16 overall and 3-5 in conference play this season. Junior forward Ashley Buragas still managed to shine, grabbing her fifth double-double of the year with 13 points and 15 rebounds.

But the Knights just kept finding ways to score. Their steady offense and smart plays made the difference in the end.

Game Highlights and Key Performances

Le Moyne’s women’s basketball squad showed plenty of grit in this matchup with FDU. Ashley Buragas really stood out again, stacking up 13 points and 15 rebounds for another double-double.

Junior forward Sydney Postell chipped in with eight points, an assist, and a steal. Sophomore guard Eli Clark grabbed four rebounds and handed out two assists, doing a little bit of everything.

First Quarter: A Strong Start

The Dolphins came out with energy, jumping to an early 5-2 lead. Senior guard Sierra Linnin and junior guard Jessica Wangolo hit jumpers, and Buragas added a free throw.

But then FDU answered fast, going on a 15-point run. The first quarter ended with Le Moyne trailing 17-5.

Second Quarter: Chipping Away at the Deficit

Le Moyne opened the second quarter with a steal and fastbreak layup from Postell, slicing the gap to 10. Buragas knocked down a jumper and Postell drained a three-pointer, trying to close the gap.

Clark finished the half with a layup, but the Dolphins still went into halftime down by 10.

Third Quarter: A Glimmer of Hope

The third quarter brought a spark—Clark and Postell nailed back-to-back threes, and suddenly it was 28-24. Just when things looked promising, FDU put together a 10-0 run and pushed the lead back to 14.

The Knights kept rolling, and a three-pointer from McDonald left Le Moyne facing a 19-point deficit by quarter’s end.

Fourth Quarter: A Final Push

Buragas tried to rally the team in the fourth, pouring in six points early. After that, though, the Dolphins only managed six more points for the rest of the game.

FDU closed it out, and Le Moyne fell 56-41.

Team Statistics and Analysis

The Dolphins just couldn’t get their shots to fall, hitting only 15 of 55 attempts for a 27.3% shooting percentage. They managed 16 points in the paint and added 10 off turnovers.

On defense, they held FDU to 32.1% shooting—18 of 56 from the floor. Not bad, but it wasn’t quite enough.

FDU’s Madlena Gerke led everyone with 21 points. Kailee McDonald and Ava Renninger added 11 and 10 points, and Renninger pulled down eight rebounds with five assists while playing all 40 minutes.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Games

The Dolphins aren’t letting this loss define their season. They’ll stay at home to host LIU for their second meeting of the year on Thursday, January 29, at 6:00 p.m.

There’s a real chance to improve the conference record if they can build on what went right in this last game.

Key Players to Watch

• Ashley Buragas: Her knack for double-doubles makes her the one to watch every night.
• Sydney Postell: Postell’s scoring and defensive hustle are always an asset.
• Eli Clark: Clark’s work on the boards and with the ball could tip the scales for the Dolphins.

Conclusion

The Le Moyne College women’s basketball team just faced off against FDU. You could see their grit and determination on the court.