Union, NJ … The College of New Jersey women's basketball team nearly pulled off its second upset in a week, but Kean University pulled out a 71-65 win on Saturday afternoon in Union, NJ.
 
Just one week after upsetting the top team in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, the Lions had the second-place Cougars on the ropes. TCNJ held a two-point lead with under three minutes to play, but Kean finished the game with a 10-2 run to move to 11-6 on the season and 8-2 in the NJAC. The Lions fell to 8-9 overall and 5-6 in conference play.
 
Despite an incredible first-half performance by Cougar guard Marajiah Bacon, TCNJ trailed just 34-31 at the break. Bacon scored 22 of the first 25 points for Kean and posted 25 points by the intermission. Bacon, who entered the game as the NJAC's leading scorer at 22.6 points per game, registered her 1,000^th career point in the second quarter in just her sophomore season. She finished with 34 in the game.
 
Playing from behind the majority of the opening half, the Lions continued to battle. When Nikki Schott (Washington Twp., NJ/Warren Hills) delivered a basket with 5:15 remaining, TCNJ had its first lead at 28-27. A 5-0 run at the end of the second quarter gave Kean a four-point cushion at the half.
 
A 9-0 run by TCNJ put them ahead 50-46 with nine minutes to play. A jumper by Chiara Palomobi (Manasquan, NJ/Manasquan) followed by a pair of free throws by Amato cut the deficit to one point.Sophomore Nicole Shatsky (Marlboro, NJ/Marlboro) then buried a three and Kate O'Leary (Trumbull, CT/Trumbull) deposited a jumper to cap the run
 
With 2:46 remaining in the contest, Katy Amato (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo) banked in a lay-up to the put the Lions up 63-61. Cougar forward De'Mean Bond scored consecutive baskets underneath before Bacon drove in for a lay-up to the host up 67-63. A Palombi basket brought TCNJ within three points with 22 seconds remaining, the Kean defense held strong in the final moments.
 
O'Leary and Palombi led the Lions with 15 points. Schott also reached double figures with 14 points. Junior Charlotte Schum (East Hanover, NJ/Morris Catholic) collected a game-high 12 rebounds.
 
TCNJ visits Stevens Institute of Technology on Monday before returning to Packer Hall on Wednesday night when they host Stockton University at 8 p.m.