Box Score
Box score

Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey women's basketball team opened their home and New Jersey Athletic Conference season schedule in style as they defeated Rowan University 69-55.
 
The Lions (4-2, 1-0 NJAC) were in control for the majority of the contest, but used a 15-1 run late in the second half to propel them to their fourth win of their season.
 
Senior Hannah Tait (Staten Island, NY/Notre Dame Academy) hit several clutch shots to lead TCNJ with 15 points. Senior Jessica Imhof (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central) posted a double-double as she finished with 13 points and a career-high 10 rebounds in the game.
 
Sophomores Liz West (Monmouth Beach, NJ/Shore Regional) and Tiffany DeTulio (Colts Neck, NJ/Colts Neck) also hit double figures on offense with 10 points each, and senior point guard Katie Occhipinti (Millington, NJ/The Pingry School) dished out a career-best eight assists.
 
The Profs (2-4, 0-1 NJAC) were led by senior Chanelle Banta (Bergenfield, NJ/Bergenfield) who finished with 13 points. Senior Alissa Lamey (Northfield, NJ/Mainland Regional) had an exceptional performance, registering a game-high 11 assists and six points. Senior Lauren Creel (Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken) reached double figures with 11 points and also collected six rebounds.
 
TCNJ led 30-27 at the half as both squads struggled with their touch from the field in their opening conference match. The Lions shot just 29 percent from the floor while the Profs hit just 34 percent of their shot attempts. TCNJ took care of the basketball, however, turning it over just five times in the half.
 
Imhof was key for TCNJ in the opening 20 minutes, dropping in 11 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Each time the Lions were in need, Imhof came through with a bucket.
 
The second half started at a similar pace until Tait caught fire. She drained back-to-back three pointers and then a short jumper to give the Lions a 38-28 advantage with 15:40 to play.
 
The Profs responded by hitting three straight shots from the floor to cut the deficit to 40-35 before TCNJ went on a short spurt to stretch the lead to 13. Rowan would not go easily, though. Led by Banta and Lamey, they chipped away over the next four minutes to cut the lead to six with 8:23 to play.
 
Just as it appeared the Profs had the momentum, the Lions' offense took flight. They went on a 15-1 surge that was spearheaded by back to back three-pointers from Tait and DeTulio.
 
The Lions won the battle under the boards as they outrebounded Rowan 53-40. They limited their turnovers to 10 and also collected 10 steals.

The Lions return to conference action on Saturday, December 3 when they visit William Paterson University. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. TCNJ will be back in Packer Hall for its next home game on Tuesday, December 6 against Delaware Valley College at 7 p.m.