HACKENSACK, N.J. - Alysha Womack (Springfield, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) contributed a team-high 20 points and five assists as the Monmouth University women's basketball team defeated Fairleigh Dickinson, 76-71, Sunday afternoon at Stratis Arena. With the win, the Hawks improve to 10-12 (7-4 NEC) and secure the Codey Cup, given annually to the winner of the men's and women's basketball series between the two schools. The Knights fall to 9-13 (4-7 NEC) with the loss.

Gabby Singer (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) added 12 points and four assists for the Hawks, while Chevannah Paalvast (Auckland, New Zealand/Massey) contributed 11 points in her return after missing the last two games due to injury. All five starters scored at least seven points, including eight points and eight rebounds from Abigail Martin (Maplewood, N.J./Columbia), seven points, eight boards and four blocks from Sara English (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown West [UMass]) and seven points and five rebounds from Carly Thibault (East Lyme, Conn./East Lyme).

Stephanie Isaacs led all scorers with 24 points for the Knights, including 5-of-10 shooting from long range. But the Hawks limited her to just one three-pointer and eight points in the second half after a 16-point effort on four three-pointers in the opening stanza. Erika Livermore added 12 points and nine rebounds for FDU, while Brianna Thomas scored 11 points. Amanda Andrades dished out a game-high eight assists for the Knights.

A first half of runs concluded with FDU holding a 33-26 lead at the break. After MU took an early 4-2 lead, FDU reeled off six straight points as part of an 18-2 spurt to take a 20-6 lead by the 11:29 mark. MU followed with 19 of the next 24 points to tie the game at 25-25 on Singer's three-pointer at the 3:50 mark. But the Knights scored eight of the last nine points of the half to take a seven-point edge into the locker room at halftime.

Isaacs led the Knights with 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including 4-of-6 from long range, in the first half. Thomas also added seven points for FDU. Womack scored a team-high seven points for MU.

After the Knights took a nine-point lead on two Desiree Crawford free throws to open the second half scoring, MU went on a 12-0 run to take its first lead since 4-2 just over a minute into the game. Three ties and nearly six minutes later, the Hawks took the lead for good on Womack's three-pointer at the 10:49 mark, sparking an 8-0 run in less than a minute. Singer added a three and Adriana Allen (Ajax, Ontario/Pickering) ran the floor to score in transition to cap the run. The Hawks maintained a lead of between four and nine points the rest of the way.

For the game, the Hawks outshot the Knights, 42.9 percent (27-63) to 39.7 percent (23-58) from the floor and 50.0 percent (7-14) to 40.0 percent (8-20) from long range. The Knights took an 85.0 percent (17-20) to 65.2 percent (15-23) edge from the free-throw line. MU outrebounded FDU, 40-35, while forcing the Knights into 20 turnovers.

The Hawks continue Northeast Conference play Wednesday afternoon, when they travel to Hamden, Conn., to take on Quinnipiac. Opening tip from the TD Bank Sports Center is scheduled for 7 p.m.