Ewing, N.J. … The College of New Jersey women's basketball team welcomed Rowan University to Packer Hall for an NJAC match up and were handed a 65-58 loss. TCNJ is now 2-5 overall and 1-3 in conference play.

The Lions started the night with a three pointer from Kate O'Leary (Trumbull, CT/Trumbull) right off the bat to take a 3-0 lead. They continued to grow the lead to 15-9 by the end of the first quarter.

Rowan picked up the pace in the second quarter but TCNJ responded well to retain the point advantage.

Both teams used the final minute of the quarter to connect behind the arc. Cindy Napolitano (Wall, NJ/St. Rose) sunk a three for the Lions while Rowan's Mandy Jiang also made one to bring the score to 32-26 in favor of the Lions going into halftime.

The Profs came out of the locker room blazing and went on a 6-0 run to tie the game 32-32 in the first two minutes of the third quarter. TCNJ held off their scoring drives to keep a slight lead heading into the final 10 minutes of the game.

The Lions couldn't hold off the Rowan offense in the fourth quarter, however, as the Profs gained the lead with just under five minutes remaining to be played. TCNJ rallied in the final minutes of the game to come within two points but ultimately they fell by a score of 65-58.

Leading the Lions offense were Nikki Schott (Washington, NJ/Warren Hills) with 15 points and O'Leary with a season high 13 points. Defensively Charlotte Schum (East Hanover, NJ/Morris Catholic) pulled down 10 boards, while O'Leary contributed nine.

The Lions are back in action on Saturday, December 10, when they continue their conference schedule at New Jersey City University. The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. tipoff.