Preview: Wagner Seahawks at Fairleigh Dickinson Knights

HACKENSACK, N.J. (Interstat) — A surging Fairleigh Dickinson women’s basketball team will look to continue its dominant run and complete a regular-season sweep when it hosts Wagner in a Northeast Conference matchup Saturday at Rothman Center.

The Knights (18-4, 8-1 NEC) enter on a nine-game winning streak and sit atop the conference standings. They have been particularly formidable at home and are coming off a 78-54 rout of Stonehill on Thursday, powered by a 24-point performance from standout guard Madlena Gerke.

Gerke has been a consistent offensive force, averaging 17.4 points over her last five games. In the teams’ first meeting on Jan. 15, a 56-46 Fairleigh Dickinson road victory, Gerke contributed 11 points in just 20 minutes of play.

Wagner (10-10, 5-4) arrives with momentum of its own, having won three straight games, including a 63-44 victory over Central Connecticut on Thursday. The Seahawks have tightened their defense during the streak, holding opponents to an average of 47.7 points per game.

The Seahawks will rely on guard Irene Fernandez de Caleya, who is averaging 12.1 points and 3.9 assists per game in conference play. She scored 10 points in the earlier loss to the Knights. Supporting contributors like Priscila Varela and Keana Foz, who combined for 17 points in Thursday’s win, will be crucial for Wagner’s offensive balance.

Fairleigh Dickinson’s defense, which leads the NEC in scoring defense, will be the primary challenge. The Knights held Wagner to 46 points on 32.1% shooting in the January contest.

A Wagner victory would shake up the conference race and solidify its position in the upper tier, while a Fairleigh Dickinson win would further cement its status as the team to beat.

Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST on Saturday, Jan. 31.