Ewing, NJ … A 37-point performance by sophomore guard Marajiah Bacon propelled Kean University to a 58-56 victory over The College of New Jersey in New Jersey Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon.
 
Bacon, the leading scorer in the NJAC, enjoyed a tremendous performance, shooting 14-of-26 from the field. Senior guard Jaquetta Owens was also catalyst on offense, dishing out 13 assists in the win. The Cougars improved to 4-2 on the season and 2-1 in the conference play.
 
TCNJ freshman Jen Byrne (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) led the Lions (2-3, 1-2 NJAC) with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Kim Dana (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) reached double digits with 10 points, while Nikki Schott (Washington, NJ/Warren Hills) grabbed a game-high 12 boards and Charlotte Schum (East Hanover, NJ/Morris Catholic) brought down 10 rebounds.
 
Bacon was quick to display why she leads the NJAC in scoring, racking up 19 points in the opening half. The Cougars built a 19-6 lead, capped by a buzzer-beater three from Bacon to close out the first quarter. Dana connected on six of seven free throws in the half and the Lions used a 9-2 spurt later in the second quarter to narrow the gap to 28-26 at the break.
 
Kean connected on six three-point field goals and took advantage of 15 TCNJ turnovers.
 
Schum hit a jumper just over a minute into the third quarter and the Lions finally tied up the match. Schott converted both free throws with 5:54 remaining in the period to give TCNJ its first lead of the game at 34-32. A Bacon layup, however, gave Kean a 44-41 advantage heading into final period.
 
A three-pointer from the left corner by sophomore Nicole Shatsky (Marlboro, NJ/Marlboro) with 7:14 to play made it a one-point game, but Bacon responded at the other end with a drive and bucket. Byrne then arced a shot from the baseline to make it a 49-48 contest with 5:29 remaining.
 
The teams traded baskets over the next few minutes, but the Lions couldn't manage to wrestle the lead from the Cougars. Trailing 56-54, a travel call on Kean gave the TCNJ possession. Byrne was fouled underneath and drained both foul shots to lock the game up at 56 with 1:08 to play. After misses on both ends, Bacon grabbed a rebound, and in transition, Owens in stride in the key. She banked in a layup to put the Cougars up 58-56 with 22 seconds on the clock.
 
That would turn out to be the game-winner as the Lions fell short in the final seconds.
 
Sophomore Kate O'Leary (Trumbull, CT/Trumbull) finished with seven points and nine boards. Schott tallied eight points and dished four assists.
 
TCNJ is back in action on Monday night when they host Moravian College at 6 p.m. in Packer Hall.