Newark, NJ... Rutgers-Newark used a strong second half to pull away from The College of New Jersey women's basketball team to secure a 68-51 victory on Saturday in Newark.
 
The loss dropped the Lions to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, while the Scarlet Raiders moved to 2-1 in the conference and 3-4 overall.
 
Holding a three-point lead at the start of the second half, the hosts opened up the new frame with a 9-2 run to extend that advantage to 39-29.
 
TCNJ kept battling as they later closed the difference to 44-37 when senior Kylie O'Donnell (Magnolia, NJ/Sterling) scored four straight points for the Lions from the foul line.
 
Rutgers-Newark then took control as they put together the biggest run by either team as they scored 14 of the next 18 points. That outburst put the hosts in front 58-41.
 
The Scarlet Raiders protected that lead the final eight minutes to earn the conference win.
 
The first half saw the teams tied four times in the opening eight minutes, but then they each went on nice runs.
 
TCNJ trailed 13-11 before going on a 10-2 spurt. Junior Angelica Esposito (Lincroft, NJ/St. John Vianney) started things with a 3-pointer and classmate Jess Lynch (Sandy Hook, CT/Newtown) followed with a jumper.
 
After a basket by the Scarlet Raiders, senior Jessica Goldbach (Edison, NJ/John P. Stevens) connected from 3-point range and added two free throws to put the Lions on front 21-15.
 
Rutgers-Newark countered with a 12-2 run in the final minutes as they forged ahead 30-25. A bucket by junior Christina Merlin (North Brunswick, NJ/Bishop Ahr) in the waning seconds pulled TCNJ to within 30-27 at the break.
 
Goldbach led the Lions with 11 points and added seven rebounds, while Esposito chipped in with eight points. Merlin had a balanced game with seven points and seven boards.
Rutgers-Newark's Jade Howard finished with a double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds.
                                                               
TCNJ continues conference play on Wednesday, December 10 heading to Glassboro to take on undefeated Rowan University (7-0, 4-0 NJAC). Game time is at 6 p.m.