NEW YORK, N.Y. – The TCNJ women's basketball team picked up an exciting win over Hunter College on a Monday matinee by a final tally of 60-59. With the victory the Lions improved to 10-7 on the season while the Hawks slipped to 10-9 on the campaign.

Hunter built a 41-29 lead with 7:20 to play in the third quarter, yet the Lions countered with a 9-2 stretch to pull within five by the end of the period. Shannon Devitt grabbed an offensive rebound and hit the put back to make it an 11 point game. Jen Byrne and Cailey Gibson each converted on a pair of free throws, then Gibson made a lay-up to make it a five point ballgame with 1:18 left in the third.

Byrne knocked down a three-pointer to pull TCNJ within 46-43 with 7:22 to play in the game. Devitt then found Gibson on a nice backdoor pass, and Gibson's lay-up attempt was blocked however she stayed with it. Gibson got the ball right back off the block, then net the bucket to tie it up at 47-47 with 5:48 to play.

Hunter hit a pair of free throws to grab a five point lead with 4:10 to play, yet the Lions clawed back into it. After Gibson made two more free throws, Devitt grabbed an offensive rebound and hit another put back to make it 54-53 with 2:03 to play.

On the other end, Devitt came up with a big steal, then Hunter fouled Nicole Shatsky who would convert on both free throws. On the next Hunter possession, Byrne read the passing lane and came up with a big steal. She would take it all the way for the fast break lay-up, and was fouled and hit the free throw to make it 58-54 TCNJ with 15 seconds to play. Hunter hit a three to stay in it, yet Shatsky came up with a clutch pair of free throws. The Hawks had an opportunity to win it at the buzzer, yet it did not fall and TCNJ held onto the win.

Devitt posted her 14^th double-double of the season, as she scored 19 points and added 13 rebounds. She shot an efficient 8-for-13 from the field, and played strong interior defense with three blocked shots. Byrne scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the year, while Gibson chipped in with 14 points, five rebounds, and four steals.

The Lions will return to the hardwood in Packer Hall for a big New Jersey Athletic Conference match-up against Rowan University on Jan. 23 at 6:00 p.m.