Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey women's basketball team fought tooth and nail to keep its winning streak alive as they defeated New Jersey Athletic Conference rival Kean University 63-57 in Packer Hall on Wednesday night.
 
The Lions (9-6, 5-3 NJAC) captured their seventh straight, while the Cougars dropped to 9-6 overall and 4-4 in the conference. TCNJ held a comfortable lead through the first 20 minutes, but the second half was a ferocious battle. Junior Katy Amato (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo) was clutch down the stretch, leading the Lions with 13 points in 14 minutes of play off the bench.
 
Junior Kim Dana (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) played with great energy for TCNJ and also tallied 13 points, while grabbing four rebounds. Senior Christina Merlin (North Brunswick, NJ/Bishop Ahr) was a rebound shy of a double-double, finishing with 11 points and nine boards.
 
TCNJ took commanding 35-21 lead into the intermission. Their front court was tenacious under the boards, out-rebounding the Cougars 31-18. Merlin grabbed six boards and freshman Kate O'Leary (Trumbull, CT/Trumbull) came away with five. Dana had the hot hand on the offensive end, connecting on four-of-five shots, including two-of three from behind the arc.
 
Kean struggled with its shooting touch in the opening period, converting just 9-of-35 shots. Entering the game averaging 76.1 points per contest, they were held to just nine points in the opening quarter.
 
The Cougars came out with a different look in the second half. They went on a 14-0 run to open the period as Marajiah Bacon heated up from the outside. TCNJ guard Charlotte Schum (East Hanover, NJ/Morris Catholic) knocked a three-pointer to settle the Lions and trip up the Cougars momentum. Leading 42-40, Amato dropped in three free throws and Dana connected from downtown to stretch the lead back to eight points.
 
Kean rallied, and with 4:23 remaining in the game, Jaquetta Owens drained a three-pointer to give the Cougars their first lead of the game, 53-51. The Lions, however, stood their ground. They went on a 10-2 run, taking quality shots on one end and forcing turnovers down on the defensive end.
 
Leading by four points, senior Angelica Esposito (Lincroft, NJ/St. John Vianney) hit nothing but net on a pair of free throws to ice the win for TCNJ.
 
Marajiah was terrific in the second half for Kean. She racked up 17 of her game-high 24 points in the final two quarters. Ruby Asabor also had a big night, collecting 15 rebounds and eight points.
 
The Lions will continue their conference schedule this Saturday when they host William Paterson University at 3 p.m. in Packer Hall.