HACKENSACK, N.J. (November 6, 2018) – The Rutgers University-Newark women's basketball team capped its preseason with a trip to Fairleigh Dickinson University for an exhibition contest against the Division I Knights. The hosts never trailed as they won 97-51.

The Scarlet Raiders were led by senior Faith Ashby who scored a game-high 16 points including one 3-pointer and a perfect 5-for-5 night from the free throw line. Ashby also led the squad with five steals. Rookie Dorian Capurso joined her in double-digit scoring with 11 on 3-of-6 (50.0%) shooting from the field and a 5-for-6 (83.3%) performance at the charity stripe. In addition, Capurso grabbed a team-best seven rebounds, including two on the offensive glass.  

Rutgers-Newark now has a week of practice before its season opener in The Golden Dome against non-conference opponent FDU-Florham with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m.

The Raiders evened the contest early when junior Hannah Ashby fed Capurso for a layup that made it 2-2, but the Knights took control with a commanding 11-0 run that forced the visitors to take a timeout.

R-N rallied after the stoppage, pulling to within 13-8. Hannah Ashby hit 1-of-2 free throws before senior Faith Ashby buried a jumper. Hannah Ashby capped the quick 6-0 surge with another trifecta. Unfortunately, FDU pulled away for good with a 13-3 spurt to end the first quarter with a 26-11 advantage.

The hosts would score the first seven points of the second period and not look back en route to a 53-18 halftime lead.

The Scarlet Raiders were more competitive in the second half. The visitors stayed close the entire third quarter in a period they lost by a slim 17-16 score. Faith Ashby and Capurso led the charge, pouring in all 16 of R-N's points. Ashby scored nine points that started with a traditional three-point play before adding four more points from the charity stripe and capping her scoring with a lay-in. Capurso lived at the free throw line, going 5-of-6 in the quarter, and chipped in a lay-up.

Rutgers-Newark added another 15 points on baskets from eight different players including the first career points for three rookies. Still, FDU poured it on to close out a 97-51 win.