EWING, N.J. – The College of New Jersey women's basketball team defeated Ithaca College in the home opener on Friday night by a final score of 75-61. The Lions improved to 2-1 on the young season, while the Bombers dipped to 0-1. Jen Byrne of TCNJ net her 1,000 career point in the third quarter.

TCNJ took a 17-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Lions built the nine point advantage with a 10-4 run to close out the period. Shannon Devitt scored on a lay-up, then Byrne converted from in close to put the Lions up by five. Rachel Gazzola knocked down a three-pointer, then Byrne hit from beyond the arc to put TCNJ up 17-8.

Elle Cimilluca knocked down her second three-pointer of the second quarter to put the Lions ahead 25-12. With 25 seconds to play in the half, Morgan Heller struck from long distance to make it a 33-20 lead. The Lions took a 33-22 lead into the locker room.

In the third quarter, the Lions grabbed control of the game with an 18-5 run. Byrne knocked down a triple to put TCNJ ahead 44-36. Sydney Blum came up with a steal on the next possession for Ithaca. The ball found Byrne once again, and she hit a rainbow three to seal her 1,000 career point. Byrne has been a crucial contributor for the Lions throughout her career. She has started in 64 games and averaged 15.4 points with 6.4 rebounds per game over the course of the last four seasons.

TCNJ continued the effective offensive attack. Devitt knocked down a jumper, then Blum net four points with a lay-up and a pair of free throws. Gazzola came up with a steal and took it all the way for a fast break lay-up. Blum sank another lay-up, then Heller made a pair of free throws to put TCNJ ahead by 18 points at the end of the third quarter. The Lions were able to seal the win in the fourth.

Byrne led the way with 26 points, and shot 6-of-10 from long distance. She also tallied seven rebounds. Devitt scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Cimilluca tallied eight points and seven assists, while Blum, Heller, and Gazzola each pitched in seven.

TCNJ returns to the hardwood Nov. 19, for a road trip to Moravian College.