Box Score

Hoboken, NJ… The College of New Jersey women's basketball team tipped off the new season with a victory over Middlebury College as the Lions tamed the Panthers by the score of 65-47 on Saturday in the opening round of the Stevens Tip-Off Tournament.

TCNJ, which is ranked 19th in the USA Today ESPN Division III Coaches' Poll, broke open a tight game at the half overtaking the 27-26 Panthers' edge at the intermission. The Lions outscored Middlebury 39-20 in the second frame, including a 12-2 spurt with less than six minutes remaining in the game.

The win moves the Lions into Sunday's title game against Stevens in a 3 p.m. start.

The Lions were led by senior Hillary Klimowicz (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood) as the center led all players with 25 points and nine rebounds. Klimowicz shot an impressive 12-for-14 from the floor and also blocked a pair of shots. Sophomore Kelsey Kutch (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) also had a strong game with 16 points and senior Alyssa Michella (Washington, TWP., NJ/Immaculate Heart Academy) chipped in with 13. Michella did most of her damage from behind the three-point arc sinking 3-of-8 attempts.