EASTON, Pa. –  Abby Antognoli registered her first career double double in a 69-62 loss to Fairleigh Dickinson on Wednesday night. 

Antognoli went for 20 points and 10 Rebounds as one of three Leopards in double figures. Juniors Sauda Ntaconayigize and Emma Shields also contributed double-digit point totals. The visitors balanced out their scoring well, having four players finish in double figures.

The Leopards jumped out to a 4-0 lead, thanks to a triple by Ntaconayigize and a free throw by fellow classmate Shields. The visitors didn't take long to respond, posting a 7-2 run and leading by a point (7-6) with 2:57 to go in the first quarter. After 10 minutes in Easton, FDU led 12-6.

Lafayette outscored the Knights 19-17 in the second frame led by Antognoli's offensive efficiency. The Bay Head, N.J. native dropped seven points in the quarter on 3-6 shooting and added four boards. Abby Babore led FDU with six points in the second period and was one of four Knights players to finish in double digits (11). At the half, the visitors led 29-25.

Both offenses came alive in the second half, but FDU's 62.5 shooting percentage in the third quarter made it hard for the Leopards to find momentum. At the 7:36 mark, Antognoli knocked down a three and Shields gave the Leopards the lead (35-33) on the next possession. With 2:09 to go the score was tied at 43 apiece, but the Knights finished the period with a 7-0 scoring spurt to take a 50-43 lead with 10 minutes to go at Kirby Sports Center.

Each team scored 19 points in the final quarter and FDU went a perfect 8-8 from the line to help protect the lead. The Maroon and White opened the quarter with a quick three by Antognoli and a pair of free throws by Ntaconayigize. The game was tied at 55 apiece with 2:19 to go, but a converted and one by Ava Renninger gave the visitors a three-point advantage. Senior guard Halee Smith made a pair of free throws to cut Lafayette's deficit to four points (63-59) later on, but FDU's clutch free throw shooting allowed them to escape with a narrow victory.   

Lafayette returns to Kirby at 2 p.m. on Sunday as it prepares to host Wagner.
 

To keep up with the Lafayette women's basketball program, follow its social media pages.

X/@Lafayette_WBB | Instagram/@lafayette_wbb | Facebook/GoLeopards