Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey women's basketball team fell victim to an improved Rutgers University-Camden squad 60-46 on Wednesday night in Packer Hall.
 
The loss dropped the Lions to 9-8 on the season and 4-6 in New Jersey Athletic Conference play. The Scarlet Raptors won their third straight league game, improving to 7-10 overall and 3-7 in the NJAC.
 
TCNJ struggled to find its shooting touch throughout the game, shooting 26 percent from the field. Rutgers-Camden, who leads the NJAC in rebounding margin, displayed its strength under the glass. They compiled 52 rebounds compared to 41 on the night for the Lions.
 
The Scarlet Raptors were the benefactor of a terrific performance by junior guard Kamari Talley (Camden, NJ/Creative Arts). She registered a double double, posting a game-high 20 points, 14 rebounds and four steals. The reigning NJAC Player of the Week reached the 20-point mark for the second straight game. Freshman Michelle Obasi (Camden, NJ/Camden Catholic) also produced big numbers from the paint with 14 points and five boards. Senior Irene Grimanis (Brooklawn, NJ/Gloucester) finished with six points and 10 rebounds.
 
Junior guard Angelica Esposito (Lincroft, NJ/St. John Vianney) connected on four, three-point field goals to lead TCNJ with 17 points and three steals. Junior Christina Merlin (New Brunswick, NJ/Bishop) grabbed a team-high nine boards and senior Jessica Goldbach (Edison, NJ/John P. Stevens) contributed nine points and eight rebounds.
 
A pair of Esposito three-point field goals was all the scoring the Lions could manufacture in the first eight minutes of the game. The Scarlet Raptors held a 14-6 lead before freshman Nikki Schott (Washington, NJ/Warren Hills) cut into the deficit with a short jumper.
 
A 12-2 spurt late in the second half allowed the Lions to tie the game at 20-20. Schott dropped in another soft shot off a feed from senior Kelly Coughlin (Trumbull, CT/Trumbull) to cap the run.
 
Talley had six points, seven rebounds and four steals in the first half to spark the Scarlet Raptors to a 26-22 halftime advantage.
 
Play was choppy on both sides midway through the second half. Neither team could get into sync offensively as turnovers disrupted any chance of fluid play. A 12-4 burst capped by a Gravinese three-point field goal and a Talley put-back gave the Scarlet Raptors its largest lead at 48-35 with 5:56 to play.
 
The Lions battled, but RUC did not buckle to secure its third league win.
 
Coughlin added nine points and three assists for the Lions. Esposito also blocked a pair of shots.
 
TCNJ will look to bounce back this Saturday when they visit Montclair State University. The NJAC match-up is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start.