MAHWAH, N.J. – The TCNJ women's basketball team earned a 74-70 victory over Ramapo on Saturday. With the win, TCNJ improved to 9-5 on the year including 6-1 in the NJAC. The Roadrunners slipped to 8-6 and 2-5 in conference play.

The Lions came out of the gate fast and built a 9-0 lead after the opening tip. Rachel Gazzola knocked down back-to-back three-pointers, then Jen Byrne hit one from beyond the arc. A three-pointer from Natalie Miller gave TCNJ a 15-6 advantage with 1:27 to go in the first quarter.

The second quarter was a back-and-forth battle, and the Roadrunners pulled within 26-23 late in the period. Mollie Brueggemeier hit a jumper to put the Lions up 30-24 with under a minute to play in the half. Byrne made a couple of free throws to give TCNJ a 32-26 lead at the end of the half.

In the third quarter, Sydney Blum converted on an and-one to put the Lions up 43-28. Shannon Devitt scored a lay-up with 24 seconds left in the third quarter to put TCNJ ahead 51-38.

Byrne made consecutive three-pointers to give the Lions a 63-46 lead with five minutes to go. Ramapo did not let the Lions close out the game easily, as the Roadrunners mounted a comeback. A bucket with a minute left pulled Ramapo within 67-60. Elle Cimilluca sank a couple of free throws to put the Lions up 71-63 with 34 seconds to go. Ramapo hit a three to make it a one possession, 72-70 game. Cimilluca hit a pair of clutch free throws with four seconds to play to ice the game.

Byrne had a big game for the Lions, as she scored 24 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and tallied seven assists. Gazzola scored 14 points and grabbed seven boards, while Devitt netted 12 points and eight boards. Cimilluca scored eight points and distributed seven assists.

TCNJ will return to the court on Jan. 15, when the Lions will take on William Paterson at home. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.