HACKENSACK, N.J. — In a remarkable display, Teneisia Brown reached a personal milestone by scoring 34 points, leading Fairleigh Dickinson to defeat Stonehill 66-49 in the Northeast Conference Tournament’s final on Sunday. This victory signifies Fairleigh Dickinson’s historic journey as they triumphantly finish an unprecedented perfect run through the NEC and secure their inaugural spot in the women’s NCAA Tournament.
The Knights finished the season with a perfect record, going 16-0 in NEC play, and continued their dominance by claiming three consecutive tournament wins for the conference title. This marks only the sixth occasion in NEC women’s history that a team has gone undefeated. Throughout the campaign, Fairleigh Dickinson showed exceptional prowess and strategic skill.
This tournament finale was unique as the postseason destinations for both teams were predetermined. Stonehill, navigating its transition to Division I, was eligible for the conference but not the NCAA Tournament. Subsequently, the NEC’s automatic NCAA bid was guaranteed to Fairleigh Dickinson upon reaching the finals, while Stonehill received an invitation to the WNIT.
Fairleigh Dickinson took control early on, with Brown instrumental in doubling the team’s halftime advantage. By the break, Brown had already netted 20 points, displaying precision with 7-of-11 in field goals and perfection at the line with six successful shots.
Stonehill fought back in the third quarter, narrowing the margin to 42-37, but Brown’s resilience was evident when she scored four crucial free throws in the last six seconds of the period, extending the Knights’ lead to 46-37. She continued to excel in the fourth quarter, outscoring Stonehill 8-2 during a critical stretch and advancing Fairleigh Dickinson to a formidable 62-47 lead with just two minutes left.
Brown has been exceptional throughout the tournament, having previously contributed 23 and 28 points in earlier rounds. Ava Renninger also provided key support with 10 points for the Knights, who concluded their season with a 29-3 record. Brown’s performance culminated in an impressive 11 of 19 from field goals and a flawless 12 of 12 in free throws.
For the Skyhawks, whose season ended with a 17-15 record, Kylie Swider achieved a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Sharn Hayward and Brooke Paquette each contributed 12 points.
