Box Score

Senior Insert

Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey women's basketball team knocked off New Jersey Athletic Conference opponent Rowan University 62-55 on Wednesday night in Packer Hall.

The win clinches the final playoff spot for the Lions (14-10, 7-6 NJAC) as they won five of their last seven conference games to qualify for the post-season. They will visit Rutgers University-Newark this Saturday at 7 p.m.

The loss brings the Profs (12-11, 7-6 NJAC) season to a close. Despite having the same league record as TCNJ, Rowan falls short as the Lions defeated the Profs in both contests this season.

Keri Washington (Ewing, NJ/Ewing) played like a senior who did not want this game to be her last as she dominated the final 10 minutes of play on the offensive and defensive ends. Washington led the Lions in scoring with a season-high 15 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.

Junior Jessica Imhof (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central) was 8-of-8 from the free throw line compiling 12 points and three steals, while senior Alex Gregorek (Mahwah, NJ/Academy of Holy Angels) controlled the boards grabbing a career-best 15 rebounds and scoring 10 points in her final regular season match.

Senior Gina Cantarzariti (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) had a terrific final game as a Prof as she tallied a game-high 17 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the floor. Junior Lauren Gregg (Collingswood, NJ/Collingswood) had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while junior Brittany Baum(Egg Harbor, NJ/Egg Harbor) added 10 points and eight rebounds.

Thing started slowly on the offensive side for the Lions as they hit just one of their first 14 shots to start the game. Senior Stephanie Prall (Kinnelon, NJ/Kinnelon) drained a 3-point bucket to break the drought and set the Lions' offense in motion.

The game was even midway through the half before Gregorek, Imhof, and junior Katie Occhipinti (Millington, NJ/The Pingry School) hit consecutive baskets followed by a pair of Washington foul shots giving the Lions a 25-16 with 4:30 to play in the half.

The Profs were also sluggish out of the gate, but fought their way back late in the half as junior Alissa Lamey (Northfield, NJ/Mainland Regional) hit a big 3-pointer followed by a Cantarzariti bucket to cut the deficit to 25-21. Junior Hannah Tait (Staten Island, NY/Notre Dame Academy) responded, however, with her second long-range jumper of the period and the Lions took a 31-21 lead into the locker room.

TCNJ sailed through the opening five minutes of the second half as Liz West (Monmouth Beach, NJ/Shore Regional) hit a short jumper to go up 37-27. The Profs, however, kicked it into gear with 9-2 run punctuated by a Gregg 15-footer to close the gap to 39-36.

The game remained tight, but Washington's drive to the bucket found the bottom of the net as she was fouled. She knocked down the free throw to give the Lions momentum and a 50-41 advantage.

Rowan showed resilience late in the game as Baum hit a jumper followed by a Gregg bucket from behind the arc to cut the lead to 55-51. But Washington scored five points in the final 1:33, icing the game and punching a ticket to the post-season.

TCNJ plays the second-seeded Scarlet Raiders in the opening round of the NJAC playoffs.