Box Score

Camden, NJ…The College of New Jersey women's basketball team used a dominant second half to ignite a 73-59 victory over Rutgers University-Camden in New Jersey Athletic Conference action on Saturday.

The win was the fourth straight for the Lions, all of those coming against NJAC opponents. TCNJ improved its record to 5-2 overall and 4-0 in league play. The Scarlet Raptors dropped to 1-4 this season and 0-3 in the NJAC.

Trailing 43-42 with 14:18 remaining in the game, the Lions erupted for a 20-4 run to wash away any hopes of a Rutgers-Camden upset. Junior Kelly Coughlin (Trumball, CT/Trumball) spearheaded the offensive outburst as she shot 7-of-12 on the afternoon for a career-high 21 points.

Junior Kylie O'Donnell (Magnolia, NJ/Sterling), who was playing against a couple of former high school teammates, had a terrific all-around game. She scored 10 points and dished out a career-best seven assists. TCNJ combined for 21 assists in the game, just one shy of their season high.

The Scarlet Raptors held a 36-33 edge at the break. A strong presence under the boards on the offensive end led to 10 offensive rebounds and 11 second-chance points.

With the game tied at 24 with 6:44 remaining in the half, O'Donnell drained a three-point shot. Coughlin followed with a clear jumper and the Lions gained a 29-24 advantage.

RUC responded with a 10-2 run, punctuated by a 3-point field goal by Sophomore Michelle Onu (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East). Onu had a tremendous game, registering a double-double with game highs in points with 23 and rebounds with 14.

Six different players tallied points during the 20-4 surge in the second half. The Lions went from one point down to a 14-point cushion in just under eight minutes. Senior Kelly Roddy (Belmar, NJ/St. Rose) started the run, making a jumper off an O'Donnell assist to give TCNJ the lead for good. Roddy finished with 12 points, two assists, and two blocked shots.

Senior Liz West (Monmouth Beach, NJ/Shore Regional) netted 10 points on offense, while sophomore Christina Merlin (North Brunswick, NJ/Bishop Ahr) grabbed a team-high six rebounds to go with seven points. Senior Colleen Duffy (Spotswood, NJ/Spotswood) also collected six boards and scored five points.

Junior Tanjae Lewis (Magnolia, NJ/Sterling) had 11 rebounds for Rutgers-Camden in the loss. Junior guard Monica Burch (Lawnside, NJ/Sterling) and sophomore guard Krystle Cook (Philadelphia, Pa/Girard) each finished with 11 points.

TCNJ shot 53 percent in the second half (16-of-30).

The Lions are off until next Saturday when they visit Delaware Valley College. The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start in Doylestown, Pa.