Ewing, NJ… The College of New Jersey women’s basketball team had their home opener on Tuesday hosting the undefeated Cardinals of Catholic University of America in Packer Hall on Tuesday night.  TCNJ tallied a 73-61 win to improve to 2-1, while handing Catholic their first setback on the year. A year ago the Lions went 10-2 on the year in Packer Hall.

TCNJ jumped out to a 35-20 halftime lead as senior guard Margo Buchalski (Ventnor, NJ/Cherry Hill East) led the way with nine points. TCNJ’ women shot 41.9% from the floor (13-31), while limiting the Cardinals to 21.2% (7-33). Buchalski finished with a career-high 15 points on the night.

Senior forward Breanne Depken (Oradell, NJ/River Dell Regional) added a career-high 14 rebounds and finished with a double-double as she also added 13 points. Sophomore center Hillary Klimowicz (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood) had nine rebounds for the Lions with eight point as TCNJ held a 26-19 advantage on the boards in the first half and finished with a 51-38 performance.

Catholic opened the second half on a 10-1 run over the first three and a half minutes to pull within six points, down 36-30 with16:22 left to play. TCNJ called time out and Catholic pulled within four points before the Lions went on a run to pull away.

Senior guard Jackie DeBorger (Floral Park, NY/Holy Trinity) led all players with her 24 point performance as she hit 6-of-12 shots from three-point range. Senior guard Maria Rojas (Naples, FL/LaSalle Academy) added eight points, six rebounds and eight assists in the loss.