GRANTHAM, Pa. – The College of New Jersey women's basketball team defeated Penn State Lehigh Valley on Saturday by a final score of 70-46. The Lions closed out the Messiah College Tip-Off Tournament with a 1-1 record.

The Lions went on a big 18-5 run in the first quarter to take a 20-5 lead. Rachel Gazzola knocked down a three-pointer, then a jumper to put TCNJ ahead 7-4. Sydney Blum knocked down a three-pointer to put the Lions ahead 14-4. Natalie Miller sank a three-pointer off an assist from Elle Cimilluca to make it a 15 point lead with three minutes to go in the first.

TCNJ took a 33-16 lead into halftime. The Lions began to pull away with a monster 25-12 stretch in the third quarter. With just under five minutes to play, Blum struck from behind the arc again off an assist from Jen Byrne to put the Lions ahead 43-22. Morgan Heller hit a jumper to put TCNJ ahead 23, then another bucket from Blum put TCNJ ahead 47-25. Miller hit three straight trifectas to put TCNJ ahead 58-30.

Miller and Blum led the Lions with 15 points each. Blum shot 4-of-7 from three point land, while Miller went 5-of-7 from long distance. Gazzola tallied 12 points, while Byrne picked up nine points and eight rebounds. Cimilluca dished out nine assists.

TCNJ shared the basketball well, as the Lions racked up 24 assists on 27 made field goals.

Next up for TCNJ is the home opener against Ithaca College on Nov. 15.