Newark, NJ ... The College of New Jersey women's basketball team overcame a first-hald deficit to defeat Rutgers-Newark 70-63 on Saturday night.

The victory improves the Lions record to 10-9 overal and 6-6 in New Jersey Athletic Conference play. TCNJ currently sits in a tie for sixth place with Rutgers-Camden in the NJAC standings and one game out of fourth place behind Kean and William Paterson University.

Senior Angelica Esposito knocked down five three-point field goals in the win and shot 7-of-14 overall to finish with 23 points. Esposito also hustled her way to eight rebounds and a pair of assists. Junior Katy Amato had a big night off the bench with 12 points in 15 minutes of play, while junior Kim Dana and senior Christina Merlin each tallied nine points.

Turnovers were costly to the Lions in the opening two quarters. They gave it away 14 times, allowing the Scarlet Raiders to take 11 more field goal attempts than TCNJ in the first half.

The Lions quickly took the lead after the break when Charlotte Schum drained a three-pointer followed by a bucket by senior Jess Lynch. Rutgers-Newark continued to battle, however, and regained the lead at 49-47 with 1:23 remaining in the third quarter. A basket from behind the arc by Esposito followed by a layup by Merlin granted TCNJ a three-point advantage entering the final quarter of play.

The Scarlet Raiders did draw within a point with five minutes left in the contest. but free throws by Amato and a clutch three-pointer by freshman Kate O'Leary put the game away for the Lions.

Merlin finished with a team-high nine rebounds, while Schum grabbed eight boards.

TCNJ returns home to take on Montclair State University (13-6, 9-3 NJAC) on Monday night in Packer Hall at 6 p.m.