Union, NJ… The College of New Jersey women's basketball team played a flawless fourth quarter outscoring Kean University 19-0 over the final period on their way to defeating the Cougars 58-42 Saturday Afternoon. The Lions have won five straight and are 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the NJAC. The Cougars fall to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play.
The Lions jumped out to an early 7-0 lead on the strength of a three-pointer by
Kate O'Leary (Trumbull, CT/Trumbull) and a pair of lay-ups from
Jen Byrne (Medford, NJ/Shawnee). Byrne scored a game-high 18 points
Reigning NJAC scoring champion Marajiah Bacon scored the Cougars first seven points as Kean ended the first quarter on a 10-2 run, and held a 12-10 advantage after the opening ten minutes. Bacon tied Byrne with 18 points for the game
The run continued as the Cougars scored the first eight points of the second quarter and extended the advantage to double-digits. The Lions responded with a bucket by Byrne and a three-pointer by
Lauren Barlow (Spotswood, NJ/Bishop George Ahr). TCNJ trailed 27-21 at the half.
The teams played nearly even in the third quarter, as the Lions quickly cut the lead to two, but were unable to secure a lead and the Cougars could not push the advantage beyond six. Kean led after three quarters 42-39.
The Lions got to work quickly in the fourth. O'Leary tied the game just 15 seconds into the period with a triple, and a minute into the quarter
Nikki Schott (Washington, NJ/Warren Hills) hit a lay-up to give TCNJ a lead they would not surrender. O'Leary scored nine of her 14 points in the fourth quarter.
TCNJ held the Cougars to 0-for-16 shooting from beyond the arc in the game, including 0-for-5 in the final frame.
Shannon Devitt (Westfield, NJ/Westfield) continued the hot start to her career, compiling her third double-double of the season with 13 points and 17 rebounds. Devitt ranks second in the NJAC amongst all players at 10.2 rebounds per game.
TCNJ will continue their road trip with a game at Moravian College Monday night. Tip-off is at 7:00 PM.
