EWING, N.J. – The College of New Jersey women's basketball team defeated New Jersey City University by a final score of 72-65 on Wednesday night. The win marks the sixth in a row for TCNJ as they improved to 7-3 including 6-0 in New Jersey Athletic Conference action, while the Gothic Knights fell to 1-9 including 0-6 in the NJAC.
NJCU held a slight 24-22 advantage with 4:30 to play in the second quarter, yet TCNJ closed out the half with a 13-3 run to take a 35-27 lead into the locker room.
Kate O'Leary found
Shannon Devitt down low who hit the lay-up, then on the next Lion possession
Elle Cimilluca set up O'Leary, and she knocked down the three ball to make it 33-27. Cimilluca scored on a strong take to the hole to make it 35-27.
In the fourth quarter, TCNJ used a 9-2 run to take a 62-52 lead with five minutes to play.
Cailey Gibson knocked down a three-pointer on the fast break off of a
Sam Famulare assist. On the next trip down the floor, O'Leary found
Jen Byrne in the post who hit the lay-up to make it a ten point lead. Byrne knocked down a jumper with 1:39 to go to make it a 68-60 game, then TCNJ was able to make its free throws to hang onto the win.
Byrne led TCNJ with 19 points on 8-for-15 shooting from the floor and nine rebounds. Devitt scored 14 points on an efficient 5-for-8 shooting and snagged 10 boards, while O'Leary scored 12 points and added eight rebounds. Famulare contributed 12 points as well.
TCNJ will resume action on Dec. 29, when the Lions will travel to Massachusetts Institute of Technology for a 2:00 p.m. start.
