RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Felician women's basketball entered the new year on a four game losing streak and a 2-9 overall record. Ironically, the University of Bridgeport had one more win over the Golden Falcons for a 3-9 record but both squads sat tied for first in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference North Division being undefeated (2-0). 

Tonight was the battle of the records as one team was going to be walking out of JJJ Gymnasium with their first conference loss of the season and after a Felician 20 point fourth quarter, the host captured the 59-52 win to remain undefeated in CACC play. 

Here's What Happened:

• In a back-and-fourth contest, there were eight ties and eight lead changes throughout the evening. After the first 10-minutes of regulation, the Purple Knights held an 9-11 lead over the Golden Falcons, but the green-and-gold surpassed their opponents for the lead entering halftime, 26-20.
• Opening the second half, the Purple Knights equalized the score at 26 until Deviney Jackson (Long Island City, N.Y.) put Felician back on top with a layup. From there the lead would change three times in four possessions; Bridgeport went 1-2 from the charity stripe to trail by one and ultimately take the 28-29 lead until Madison Washington (New York City, N.Y.) recorded a pair, 30-29. Once the Purple Knights captured their 33rd point (32-33), the squad would hold the advantage going into the final stanza, 40-39.
• In the third quarter, the Golden Falcons were held to 13 points compared to the visiting 20. Adriana Perez (Galapagar, Madrid, Spain) lit the fire for the Golden Falcons offense to edge the Purple Knights to start the fourth, 41-40, but following the pattern of the contest, Bridgeport took back the lead in the next possession for a final time. Mar Vidal (Tona, Spain) and Katie Ritchie (Mentone, Victoria, Australia) captured consecutive points for the green-and-gold for the four point lead then later on Ane Valle (Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain) gave Felician the largest lead of the night with nine, 53-44. 
• The Purple Knights were able to slash the host advantage down to five, but the Golden Falcons upended the squad for the 59-52 defeat, thus ending their four game losing skid. 

Box Score Insights:

• Ritchie - who shot 66% from behind the arc - led the team with 18 points while also capturing seven rebounds, six steals, and four assists. Vidal was right behind her teammate with 17 - tying her career high - and also had eight rebounds. 
• Valle and Aisha Traore both had seven points apiece, but Traore led the boards for the green-and-gold when she snagged 12. 
• The Golden Falcons were able to force 21 turnovers with 15 converted points and out-rebounded the Purple Knights 46-37. 

The Golden Falcons (3-9 / 3-0 CACC) will return to action on Saturday when they travel to Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, P.A. for a 1:00pm tip-off.