GLASSBORO, N.J. – In a thrilling 45 minutes, The College of New Jersey women's basketball team defeated Rowan University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference battle by a final score of 79-70. With the overtime win the Lions now stand at 2-3 on the season including 2-0 in conference play, while the Profs slipped to 2-4 and 1-1 in the NJAC with the loss.

Both teams traded buckets in the first quarter, which set the tone for the evenly matched game. The Lions held a 16-15 lead after the opening quarter. With just over a minute to play in the half, Lauren Barlow converted on a lay-up, then on the next possession Samantha Bialoblocki was fouled and hit both free throws to pull TCNJ within 38-34 at the half.

The seesaw battle continued in the second half, as neither side was able to take a lead larger than four points in the third quarter. Sam Famulare scored on a lay-up to put the Lions up 49-47. With just five seconds left in the third, Famulare knocked down a three-pointer off of an Elle Cimilluca assist to make it a 53-53 game heading into the fourth.

Rowan converted from in close with four minutes to play to make it 63-57, yet the Lions clawed back into it. Cimilluca sank a three-pointer, then with 2:31 to play Kate O'Leary hit from downtown to tie it up at 63 apiece. TCNJ took the lead with a Shannon Devitt jumper, yet the Profs drew even with a lay-up. Famualre had a look as regulation expired, however it would not fall and the game went into overtime.

Famulare continued to impact the game, as she scored on a lay-up as she was fouled. She made the ensuing free throw to put TCNJ up 69-65.  The Profs pulled within one with 3:33 to go, yet the Lions closed the game out with a 10-2 run to clinch the victory. Devitt and O'Leary each converted on a lay-up, then Cimilluca hit a pair of free throws to put the Lions up 75-68 with a minute to go. Famulare scored on another lay-up, then Devitt put the exclamation point on the win with a blocked shot.

Famulare led all scorers in the game with a career-high 23 points including 4-for-9 shooting from three point territory. She also added six rebounds. O'Leary added 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Devitt posted another double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds. Jen Byrne scored 10 points and pulled down eight rebounds, while Cimilluca scored seven points to pair with seven assists.

O'Leary moved into seventh place in program history made three-pointers. She hit three on the night to put her at 127 in her career.

Over the course of the game there were six ties and nine lead changes.

TCNJ will resume action on Dec. 1, when they will welcome Rutgers-Newark to Packer Hall for a 1:00 p.m. start.