EWING, N.J. – The TCNJ women's basketball team topped Rutgers-Newark on Saturday by a final score of 73-40.

TCNJ (12-6, 9-2 NJAC) took a 20-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. Shannon Devitt scored on a lay-up after grabbing an offensive rebound. Jen Byrne put the Lions up 19-10 with a three-pointer, then a free throw from Elle Cimilluca gave the Lions the ten point advantage.

TCNJ closed out the second quarter with a 14-5 run to take a 42-22 lead at halftime. Rachel Gazzola drilled a three-pointer to put the Lions ahead 33-19. With 2:24 to play in the half, Devitt converted on another lay-up. Morgan Heller hit a corner three-pointer to extend the edge to 38-19, then Devitt beat the buzzer with a lay-in to give TCNJ the 20 point lead heading into halftime.

In the third quarter, Devitt continued to attack the basket, as she scored all 11 points in the quarter for the Lions. She scored on a lay-up with 5:09 to play to put TCNJ up 44-26. Her bucket with 32 seconds left gave the Lions a 53-35 advantage, which they took into the fourth quarter.  The Lions were able to control the remainder of the game in the fourth to hold onto the win.

Devitt posted a career-high 33 points. She also grabbed nine rebounds, three blocked shots, and three steals. Gazzola tallied 11 points, while Byrne scored nine points to go along with nine rebounds. Cimilluca dished out seven assists and grabbed three steals, while Sydney Blum pulled down 10 rebounds.

The Lions will resume play at Rowan on Jan. 29.