HACKENSACK, N.J. (Interstat) — Madlena Gerke scored 24 points and Fairleigh Dickinson used a dominant third-quarter surge to pull away from Stonehill, securing a 78-54 victory in a Northeast Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Rothman Center.

The Knights, improving to 18-4 overall, showcased their conference-leading form by turning a competitive first half into a decisive rout after halftime. The Skyhawks, who fell to 7-13, kept pace early but were ultimately overwhelmed by Fairleigh Dickinson’s efficient offense and disruptive defense.

Stonehill’s Brooke Paquette, a guard from Hudson, New Hampshire, led all scorers with 18 points, including a perfect 8-for-8 performance from the free-throw line. Her efforts kept the Skyhawks within striking distance in the first half, as they trailed 33-24 at the break despite shooting just 30 percent from the field.

The game’s defining stretch came immediately after halftime. Fairleigh Dickinson opened the third quarter with a 13-2 run, extending its nine-point lead to 46-26 in less than four minutes. The Knights’ offensive execution was clinical during the burst, with Gerke, a guard from Riga, Latvia, scoring seven points during the run, including a three-pointer and a driving layup that resulted in a three-point play.

Gerke’s all-around performance set the tone, as she added a block and a steal in 28 minutes of action. Kailee McDonald of Lowell, Massachusetts, provided crucial support with 14 points and three assists, while point guard Ava Renninger of Yardley, Pennsylvania, directed the offense with seven assists.

The Knights shot 56 percent from the field for the game, including 7 of 17 from three-point range, and capitalized on their opportunities in the paint with a 38-20 advantage. Their defensive pressure was equally impactful, forcing 17 Stonehill turnovers and converting them into 16 points. Fairleigh Dickinson recorded 12 steals, led by Renninger and McDonald with three apiece.

Stonehill struggled to find consistent offense outside of Paquette. The Skyhawks shot 33 percent overall and were hampered by 17 turnovers against the Knights’ active defense. Amaya Dowdy of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, contributed eight points and a block, while Julia Webster of Cumberland, Rhode Island, added six points.

A key factor was Fairleigh Dickinson’s ability to stifle Stonehill’s attempts to rally. Every time the Skyhawks showed a hint of momentum, the Knights responded with a run of their own. After Stonehill closed the gap to 41-30 in the third quarter, Fairleigh Dickinson answered with seven consecutive points to push the lead back to 18 and effectively seal the outcome.

The Knights’ depth was also on display, with Reese Downey of Galloway, New Jersey, providing a spark off the bench with 11 points, all in the second half, and Leah Crosby of Plainfield, New Jersey, adding eight points and strong interior defense.

For Stonehill, the loss snapped a two-game winning streak in conference play. The Skyhawks will look to regroup quickly as they host Le Moyne on Saturday. Fairleigh Dickinson, which has now won eight of its last nine games, remains atop the NEC standings and will prepare for a home contest against Wagner on Saturday.

The announced attendance was 275 at the Rothman Center.