Galloway, N.J. –  In the 2018-19 New Jersey Athletic Conference opener, The College of New Jersey women's basketball team picked up a win over Stockton University by a final tally of 82-54. TCNJ improved to 1-1 on the year while Stockton fell to 1-3 on the young season.

Both sides traded buckets early on, yet the Lions ran out to a 14 point lead with a 16-2 run after a 4-4 start. Kate O'Leary hit a three pointer to put the Lions up three, then Jen Byrne and Elle Cimilluca each converted from downtown to make it a 13-4 game. With a minute to play in the first quarter, Shannon Devitt controlled an offensive rebound and was fouled, and hit both free throws to put TCNJ up 20-6.

Devitt scored her 13^th and 14^th points in the opening half with two made free throws with a minute to play. Stockton narrowed the deficit to 41-30 at halftime, yet TCNJ responded well and rebuilt the lead after intermission.

The Ospreys pulled to within six with a made free throw 40 seconds into the second half, yet the Lions began to pull away with a 13-2 run to make it a 53-36 game. O'Leary knocked down another trifecta off of a Byrne assist, then on the next possession Byrne converted on an and-one for the old fashioned three point play to put TCNJ up 46-34.

Byrne hit on a lay up in close off a pass from Devitt, then on the ensuing trip down the court Sam Famulare found O'Leary who remain locked in to give TCNJ a 15 point lead.

TCNJ remained on top of the battle, and slowly built up the lead with a 25-14 fourth quarter. On the game the Lions played unselfish basketball as they tallied 20 assists on 29 field goals.

Byrne scored a game-high 24 points and made it a double-double with 10 rebounds. She also shot 10-18 from the field. Devitt aditionally posted a double-double with 21 points on an efficient 6-8 shooting and 11 rebounds. O'Leary added nine points and Samantha Bialoblocki scored nine points coming off of the bench.

Next up for the Lions will be a trip out west to Claremont, Calif. TCNJ will play in the David Wells Classic hosted by Pomona Pitzer University. The Lions will take on Pomona Pitzer on Nov. 23 at 7:00 p.m. pacific time, and then face Claremont McKenna College the following day at 7:00 p.m. as well.