Box Score
 
NEWARK, NJ – Freshman center Nicole Maticka scored 15 points and registered a school record with eight blocked shots in just her second collegiate game, as NJIT dropped a 68-57 decision to Fairleigh Dickinson at the Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center Wednesday night in women's basketball action.
 
The Highlanders (1-1) on the young season held the lead for only a brief period in the first half, as the Knights took control three minutes into the first half and remained in front the rest of the way.
 
The Knights (1-2), won for the first time after suffering two losses last week.  FDU held a 36-34 halftime lead, and then went on a 7-2 run to start the second half taking a 43-36 advantage with 14:49 remaining on a jumper by Mariyah Laury, who had 12 of her game-high 16 points in the second half.
 
The Highlanders cut the lead to 55-53 on a layup from sophomore forward Uju Nwankwo with 4:03 left, but Laury connected on two free throws and Danielle Pankey nailed a 3-pointer with 2:57 remaining, pushing the lead back up to 60-53.
 
In addition to Maticka's record-setting performance, the Highlanders received 11 points and six rebounds from freshman forward Sarah Olson and nine points from junior guard Melanie Griffin.
 
The Knights had five players register in double figures. Following Laury and Pankey game-high 16 points, FDU received 11 points each from Stephanie Isaacs and Esther Wallace.  Erika Livermore added 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds for the visitors.
 
Maticka broke the single-game blocked shot record that was held by Liliana Alvarez, who had seven blocked shots against Mount St. Mary on January 23, 1993. The record since NJIT became an NCAA Division I program was five, set by Ivana Seric against Savannah State on February 3 of this year.
 
The Highlanders return to action Saturday at 2 pm when they host Wagner at the Fleisher Athletic Center.