EWING N.J. – The College of New Jersey women's basketball team picked up a win over Rutgers-Newark in a New Jersey Athletic Conference match-up by a final score of 61-52. With the victory, the Lions improved to 3-3 including 3-0 in conference action, while the Scarlet Raiders dropped to 4-2 including 2-1 in the NJAC on the season.

Rutgers-Newark held onto a 13-8 lead after the first quarter, yet the Lions built a lead by way of a 20-5 second quarter. TCNJ opened up the quarter with an 18-2 run. With four and a half minutes to go in the half, Jen Byrne knocked down a jumper. A couple of possessions later Byrne found Shannon Devitt in close, and Devitt made the lay-up to put the Lions up 23-15. On the next trip down the court Kate O'Leary hit a three-pointer to give TCNJ a 26-15 advantage.

With four minutes to play in the third quarter, the Scarlet Raiders tied it up 33-33 yet the Lions went back out in front with a 9-0 stretch. Lauren Barlow and Byrne each converted on a lay-up, then Elle Cimilluca hit from downtown to make it a 40-33 lead. Devitt sank a jumper to give the Lions a 42-33 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The Lions took a 15 point lead when Cimilluca struck from beyond the arc again with 6:20 remaining. TCNJ was able to hold on the remainder of the game to seal the conference victory.

Cimilluca led the Lions with 16 points, including 4-for-7 from three point territory. She also added six assists. Byrne put up 16 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, while Devitt posted another double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Defensively the Lions locked down the Scarlet Raiders, and limited them to 34.5 percent shooting. The Lions also forced 12 turnovers.

TCNJ will be back at it on Mon, Dec. 3 for another home game against Moravian College. The Lions will also be holding an Alzheimer's Awareness Association fundraiser.