Box score

Ewing, NJ ... The College of New Jersey women's basketball team employed a smothering defense to win their third straight game and second conference victory downing New Jersey City University 54-30.

The Lions (8-5, 2-2 NJAC) have now forced 55 turnovers in their last two games as the Gothic Knights (2-10, 0-3 NJAC) gave it away 30 times. Nine different TCNJ players registered steals led by junior Katie Occhipinti (Millington, NJ/The Pingry School), who had career-best six steals in the game. During its three-game win streak, TCNJ is allowing an average of just 36 points per game.

Junior Hannah Tait (Staten Island, NY/Notre Dame Academy) led all scorers with a season-high 15 points, while senior Keri Washington (Ewing, NJ/Pennington Prep) reached double figures with 11 points. Sophomore Candace Vigo (New Brunswick, NJ/New Brunswick Health and Science Tech) had a solid game inside netting six points while grabbing six boards, and freshman Tiffany DeTulio (Colts Neck, NJ/Colts Neck) contributed five points and a season-best seven rebounds.

The Lions started slowly missing their first seven field goal attempts to start the game, but Tait drained a three-pointer to get the offense rolling. TCNJ took command of the game taking a 17-10 lead, but Carolina Garcia (Plainfield, NJ/Franklin) hit back-to-back jumpers to pull within three.

Tait responded with two straight treys and then fed DeTulio, who buried another shot from behind the arc to send TCNJ on an 11-2 run and into the locker room with a 28-16 advantage. The Lions were dominant under the boards out-rebounding the Gothic Knights 27-17.

TCNJ started where they left off in the second half surging to a 12-2 run during the opening eight minutes. NJCU had difficulty penetrating a Lions' defense that applied constant pressure up and down the court. The hustle resulted in 19 visitor turnovers in the second period as TCNJ allowed just six baskets in the final 20 minutes.

Garcia led the Gothic Knights with 14 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the floor. Maria Suarez (Cliffside Park, NJ/Cliffside Park) had a game-high eight rebounds, while Gabrielle Rivera (Teaneck, NJ/St. Joseph of the Palisades) had five points, six rebounds, and three blocked shots.

Senior Alex Gregorek (Mahwah, NJ/Academy of Holy Angels) tied a career-high with five blocked shots while freshman Liz West (Monmouth Beach, NJ/Shore Regional) tallied seven points and three boards.

The Lions return to action on Monday, January 10 when they visit Alvernia University. The Gothic Knights will host William Paterson University on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.