FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Courtesy of JWU Athletics Communications

MADISON, N.J. – Johnson & Wales University dropped an 84-40 decision against host Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham in the opening round of the 2015 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament the Ferguson Recreation Center on Friday evening.  The Wildcats were competing in their first-ever NCAA D-III Championship, while FDU-Florham is the defending NCAA Division III National Champion.

"I'm really proud of what we were able to accomplish this season," said head coach Corey Boilard.  "The team fought through adversities all season and pulled through them all.  I'm proud of these student-athletes and the experience at the NCAA's competing at the highest level means a lot to our program and the University."

Junior Shalette Brown (Somerset. N.J.) led the way for Fairleigh Dickinson University with 24 points and 15 rebounds while senior Kyra Dayon (Trenton, N.J.) was also in double-figures with 11 points and four rebounds in the win for the Devils.

Freshman Ashley Thompson (Bellingham, Mass.) paced Johnson & Wales with nine points and seven rebounds while fellow rookie Raquel Pederzani (Coventry, R.I.) added seven points, three steals and two assists in the setback for the Wildcats.

Fairleigh took control of the action early and forced Johnson & Wales into a timeout as a jumper by Brown gave the Devils the 16-6 with 14:57 left in the first half.  Kyra Dayon gave FDU what was then their largest lead of the first half, 38-13 on a three-pointer with just over three minutes remaining in the stanza.  The host Devils continued to build on their lead late in the half and took the 44-15 lead heading into the locker room at halftime.  Johnson & Wales was held to just 6-of-19 (31.9 %) shooting from the field while FDU-Florham shot 52.9 % (18-for-34).  JWU was outrebounded by a 20-12 margin for the stanza and committed 15 turnovers.

It was more of the same in the second half as FDU led by as many as 43 points as a layup and a free throw by Brown with 7:41 put the Devils up 72-29. Fairleigh Dickinson then cruised to the 84-40 victory.  FDU shot 46.9 % (30-of-64) from the field and held a 48-33 advantage in rebounds for the contest.

With the loss Johnson & Wales finishes the 2014-15 season with a school record 19-10 mark while Fairleigh Dickinson is now 28-1 for the year.  The Devils will return to action on Saturday, March 7 when they take on the University of New England in the second round of the tournament starting at 5:00 p.m.