The Misericordia University women's basketball team's furious fourth quarter rally came up short as the Cougars dropped their MAC Freedom opener at #14 FDU-Florham, 62-54, Wednesday.

Justine Seely led the Cougars with a double-double (16 points, 13 rebounds) and tied her own school record with seven blocked shots.

Rachel Carmody added 12 points and nine rebounds.

Trailing 50-32 entering the fourth quarter, the Cougars cut the deficit to seven points, 52-45, midway through the period.

Carmody scored four points and Liz Waleski hit a three-pointer to ignite the 13-2 run.

Carmody opened the stanza with a jumper and Waleski drilled her trey before Seely sank two free throws to get within 50-39 just over a minute into the quarter.

Carmody sandwiched a layup in between free throws from Seely and Leanne Forsyth to make it 52-44 with 6:02 to play.

Another free throw by Forsyth cut it to 52-45 with 5:36 remaining.

The Devils eventually re-established a 12-point lead with 1:24 to go before Forsyth and Seely scored the final two baskets of the game.

FDU broke a 2-2 tie with an 11-0 run over five minutes of the first quarter to take a 13-2 lead.

Waleski broke the drought with a jumper and Carmody ended the first quarter with a layup to pull within 14-7 after 10 minutes.

Jackie Hajec made a free throw and Carmody sank a jumper to make it 16-10 in the opening minute of the second quarter.

A Seely jumper kept MU within six, 18-12, and back-to-back buckets by Waleski made it 21-16 with 6:24 left in the first half.  FDU, however, ended the period on a 15-0 run to take a 36-16 halftime lead.

MU, 3-3 overall, will host DeSales, Saturday.