Ewing, NJ... In a close contest, The College of New Jersey women's basketball team (12-4, 7-2 NJAC) held off Rutgers Camden (8-8, 5-5 NJAC) in a conference match-up on Wednesday night by a final score of 50-45. Jen Byrne (Medford, NJ/Medford) led the Lions with 14 points and 11 rebounds. With the win, the Lions are off to the best start through 16 games since the 2008-09 season. 

The Lions were trailing 14-12 after the end of the first quarter, however gained control of the lead as they outscored the Scarlet Raptors 12-4 in the second quarter. With three and a half minutes remaining in the quarter Kate O'Leary (Trumbull, CT/Trumbull) knocked down a three pointer after taking a pass from Nicole Shatsky (Marlboro, NJ/Marlboro) to put the Lions up 23-18. 

In the third period, the Lions pushed the lead to seven as Shannon Devitt (Westfield, NJ/Westfield) hit two free throws with under two minutes left. With eight minutes remaining Charlotte Schum (East Hanover, NJ/Morris Catholic) converted from in close to give the Lions a six point advantage, however the Scarlet Raptors refused to let the Lions win easily. The Lions were up 41-40 with three minutes remaining, and Christine Woods (River Edge, NJ/River Dell) corralled an offensive rebound and hit the put back to put the Lions up three. The Scarlet Raptors hit a jumper on the next trip down, and on the following possession took the lead as they connected a three pointer to go up 45-43. However, that was the final points they would net, as the Lions closed the game on a 7-0 run. On the ensuing possession after the Scarlet Raptors grabbed the lead, Schum grabbed an offensive rebound, then wound up knocking down a clutch three to put the Lions up 46-45. After the Scarlet Raptors look from behind the arc would not go, the Lions called timeout and Devitt scored from in close off a feed from Schum to put the Lions up 48-45. Nikki Schott (Washington, NJ/Warren Hills) came up big on the defensive end with a steal on the next trip down, and the Lions hit two free throws to seal the victory. 

Byrne scored 14 points, and was active on the  glass as five of her 11 rebounds came on the offensive end. Devitt scored 13 points off of the bench and grabbed 14 rebounds for her sixth double double of her freshman season. O'Leary added 10 points, while Schum added seven points and six rebounds.

The Lions controlled the glass, as they out rebounded the Scarlet Raptors by a margin of 49-33. They utilized their second chances, as they out scored the Scarlet Raptors 15-4 in that department.

The Lions return to the court on Saturday, January 20th for another NJAC match-up in Packer Hall where they will face Kean University at 3pm.