MADISON, N.J. – The Drew University women's basketball team erupted for a 34-point second quarter and the Rangers defeated cross-town rival FDU-Florham 85-56 in a non-conference affair Saturday afternoon in Baldwin Gym.
 
The Rangers (6-2) shot a red-hot 64.7% from the field and a scorching 77.8% (7-for-9) from 3-point range in their big quarter.
 
Junior forward Gianna Pica posted her sixth straight 20-point game and seventh of the season, finishing with 21 points to go with eight rebounds and a career-high-tying five steals. Sophomore guard Miabella Diaz added 14 points and seven rebounds while junior guard Maddie Beyer contributed 11 points and six assists. Sophomore guard Amy Rachilla added 10 points and eight rebounds for the Rangers.
 
Kolby Lynch led the Devils (3-8) with 13 points, seven rebounds, and six steals.
 
The Rangers never trailed in the game and edged to a 19-14 lead at the end of the first quarter. After trailing by as many as 14, FDU scored five straight points to get back to within single digits. But that's when Drew launched into a 19-4 run over the final 5:30 of the period. The outburst included one 3-ball each from Pica, sophomore guard Alice Altomare, senior guard Isabelle Lalo, and Diaz in the final two minutes of the half, and the hosts led 52-29 at the break.
 
Drew led by as much as 30 (63-33) after Rachilla hit a pair of free throws with 6:54 remaining in the third quarter, and the Rangers took a 71-46 lead into the final period. The Rangers led by at least 20 in the fourth quarter.
 
The Rangers return home on Wednesday, when they take Salisbury University in a non-conference outing starting at 6 p.m.