Jersey City, NJ... The College of New Jersey women's basketball team defeated New Jersey City University on Saturday afternoon by a final tally of 95-32. With the victory TCNJ improves to 15-5 and 10-3 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference while NJCU falls to 0-16 and 0-13 in the conference. Jen Byrne (Medford, NJ/Medford) continued her strong play as she scored a game high 23 points. 

The Lions came out of the gate hot, as they raced out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. Nicole Shatsky (Marlboro, NJ/Marlboro) came up with a steal on the defensive end, and Kate O'Leary (Trumbull, CT/Trumbull) found Shannon Devitt (Westfield, NJ/Westfield) on the fast break and Devitt got the lay up to go and was fouled for the three point play. Two possessions later Shatsky converted on a lay up and on the following trip down the floor, Christine Woods (River Edge, NJ/River Dell) corralled an offensive rebound, and Byrne knocked down a three pointer. Woods capped off the run as she hit on a jumper after taking a feed from Byrne to make it 21-0 Lions. The remainder of the game the Lions were able to control, and they out scored the Gothic Knights 19-2 in the third quarter en route to the win.

Byrne scored 23 points on an efficient 10-15 shooting to go along with nine boards and six assists. Devitt posted her ninth double-double of her terrific freshman season with 18 points on 7-12 shooting and 11 rebounds. She also added four assists, and was active on the defensive end with three blocks and three steals. Charlotte Schum (East Hanover, NJ/Morris Catholic) scored 10 points on 3-5 shooting from beyond the arc, and Shatsky tallied 11 points, five rebounds, and three steals. O'Leary scored nine points on 3-5 shooting from three point range, and she now has 52 on the year which is ninth best in a season in program history. Bianca Nicolini (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional) added seven points, five rebounds, and five assists coming off of the bench.

The Lions had a major advantage down low, as they won the points in the paint battle 44-4, and out rebounded the Gothic Knights 56-28.

The 95 points is the most scored by the Lions since the 2013-14 season.

The Lions move up to second place in the NJAC standings, and they will resume action on Wednesday, January 31st with a big NJAC match-up against Rowan University in Packer Hall.