TEANECK, N.J. ? The Monmouth University women's basketball team is clinging to the eighth and final Northeast Conference playoff spot as they travel to Teaneck for a huge league showdown with Fairleigh Dickinson on Monday evening.

The game will mark another chapter in the newly established “Garden State Rivalry Series” between the Hawks and Knights, and it couldn't be more significant as far as the upcoming postseason tournament is concerned. The top four seeds on the women's side have clinched playoff spots, while FDU sits in fifth place, one game of ahead of Monmouth, who is tied with Wagner for eighth.

MU defeated FDU earlier this season 72-66 in overtime in Boylan Gym, getting a career-high tying 24 points and career-high 15 rebounds from Jennifer Bender (Staten Island, N.Y./Staten Island Tech).

The “Garden State Rivalry Series” is tied at one win apiece as the MU women's team defeated Fairleigh Dickinson in their first meeting this year, with the Knight's men topping the Hawks earlier this season. If the season series ends tied at two wins apiece, the tiebreaker used will be total points scored.

SETTING THE SCENE:
Monmouth (7-17, 4-9 NEC) at Fairleigh Dickinson (9-15, 5-8 NEC)
Monday, February 18, 2008
Location: Teaneck, N.J.
Arena: Rothman Center (5,000)
Tip: 5:00 p.m.
Radio: WMCX 88.9 FM (www.wmcx.com)
Television: Fox Sports - New York