Ewing, NJ... The College of New Jersey women's basketball team defeated Stockton University in the New Jersey Athletic Conference semifinals on Tuesday night by a final score of 70-56. With the victory, the Lions improved to 21-5 on the year and advanced to the NJAC Championship. 

In the first quarter, the Lions jumped out to a 12-4 lead. Charlotte Schum (East Hanover, NJ/Morris Catholic) found Nikki Schott (Washington, NJ/Warren Hills) from behind the arc and Schott knocked it down to give the Lions the eight point lead. A couple of minutes later, Schum read the passing lane and came up with a steal, then found Samantha Famulare (Freehold, NJ/Freehold Twp.) who hit from three point land to give the Lions a 20-12 lead.

Both teams traded buckets in the second quarter, and with over three minutes to go a Stockton three pointer notched it up at 26. Schott knocked down a jumper to give the Lions the lead, and after an Osprey answer she knocked down two free throws to put the Lions up 30-28 with two minutes remaining in the half. Jen Byrne (Medford, NJ/Medford) forced a turnover, then on the ensuing possession knocked down a three off a great pass from Schott to put the Lions up 33-29, a lead which they would take to the locker room.

Sasha Williams converted on an and one for the Ospreys to cut the Lions lead to 35-32, however the Lions built a 13 point lead with a 16-5 run.  Byrne scored on a strong take to the bucket, and then on the Lions next possession Devitt took a strong take and converted to push the Lions lead to nine. Famulare pulled up from beyond the arc and hit after taking a nice feed from Byrne, and then Byrne sank a jumper to put the Lions up 46-32. Kate O'Leary (Trumbull, CT/Trumbull)  converted on an and one to push the lead to 51-37.

In the final quarter, the Ospreys chipped away at the lead as they opened up with a 10-3 run to pull as close as 54-47. The Lions however roared back, and began to pull away. Schum found Byrne in the low post, and Byrne converted the lay in. On the next possession for the Ospreys, the Lions played strong defense and forced a turnover, and Famulare remained aggressive and converted on an old fashioned three point play to put the Lions up 59-47. Famulare was locked in, as she hit back to back three pointers to push the Lions lead to 65-52 with over two and a half minutes to play. The rest of the game the Lions controlled to hold onto victory.

Byrne scored a team high 19 points and added five rebounds. Famulare tallied 18 points and seven rebounds, and was lethal behind the arc as she shot 5-7 (71.4%) from three point range. Devitt posted a double double with 14 points and 12 strong rebounds, and Schott played well with 11 points, four rebounds, five steals and three blocked shots on the defensive end. 

The Lions had an advantage on the glass, as they out rebounded the Ospreys 45-33. 

The Lions advance to the NJAC Championship, where they will face Montclair State University in Montclair on Friday, February 23rd. The Lions and Red Hawks split the season series.