Box score

Camden, NJ … The College of New Jersey women's basketball team took care of Rutgers University-Camden 59-49 on Saturday afternoon in Camden.

The Lions (12-9, 5-5 NJAC) cleared the first of four hurdles in their quest to qualify for the post-season. Currently, they stand two games behind Rowan University in the conference standings and three behind Richard Stockton College as the three schools battle for the second and third playoff slots in the South Division. Rowan lost to Kean University today 81-66.

After an exhilarating win over Kean on Wednesday night, the threat of a letdown game is often an issue of concern. Seniors Keri Washington (Ewing, NJ/Pennington Prep) and Alex Gregorek (Mahwah, NJ/Academy of Holy Angels) squashed any chance of that transpiring playing an inspired first-half and leading TCNJ to its 12th win. Washington registered her first double-double of the season scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 boards. Gregorek led all scorers with 20 points making good on eight of 12 field-goal attempts. She also had four rebounds and three blocked shots.

Washington hit a lay-up with 16:01 remaining in the first half to give the Lions a 6-5 lead, an advantage they would never relinquish throughout the rest of the contest. They went on a 17-4 run and headed into the intermission with an eight-point lead, capped by a 3-point bucket off the finger-tips of junior Hannah Tait (Staten Island, NY/Notre Dame Academy).

The Scarlet Raptors (9-13, 2-9 NJAC) made a run at the Lions in the second half cutting the deficit to two points just five minutes into period. But junior Jessica Imhof (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central) hit a clutch 3-pointer and was a perfect eight-for-eight from the free throw line to regain control of the game.

Freshman Liz West (Monmouth Beach, NJ/Shore Regional) also played a big role in the conference victory tallying nine points and grabbing a season-high nine rebounds (four offensive) in 16 quality minutes off the bench. TCNJ had 16 second-chance points in the game.

While TCNJ needs to rack up wins combined with Prof and Osprey losses to advance to the post-season, they have an opportunity to play a hand on both ends. The Lions play Rowan twice and Stockton once in their final three games, so they can directly provide a few of those necessary losses.

A win at Rowan on Monday night will help their cause tremendously. The Profs have a tough game against Stockton next Saturday before visiting Packer Hall on Wednesday, February 16 in the conference finale. The Ospreys have a stormy road ahead as well playing the Profs, TCNJ, and Kean twice.

The Lions return to Packer Hall on Wednesday, February 9 when they take on Stockton at 6 p.m. The program will celebrate the 25th anniversary of National Girls and Women in Sport Day. TCNJ athletics is offering free admission to all girls ages 8-14 and fans can meet the Lions' players after the game for a meet and greet session. In addition, all girls will receive Kay Yow pink shoelaces to raise breast cancer awareness.