EWING, N.J. – The TCNJ women's basketball team was edged by New Jersey City on Wednesday, 58-50. The Lions fell to 15-8 on the year and 12-4 in conference action. The Gothic Knights improved to 10-13 and 7-9 in NJAC play.
The Lions came out of the gate strong with a 12-2 run.
Elle Cimilluca got TCNJ on the board with a three-pointer. On the next possession,
Rachel Gazzola struck from long range. The Lions continued to attack the Gothic Knights' defense.
Jen Byrne made a jumper, then
Sydney Blum converted on an old-fashioned three-point play to give the Lions an 11-point lead.
TCNJ led, 18-8, at the end of the first quarter. The Gothic Knights battled back in the second quarter and pulled to within 24-17 with 5:38 left in the half. TCNJ recorded back-to-back buckets, as Blum made a lay-up, then Gazzola sank a jumper. A pair of free throws from Gazzola pushed the lead to 30-22, and the Lions took that advantage into halftime.
New Jersey City tied the game at 33-33 with 6:31 remaining in the third quarter. The Gothic Knights took a brief 37-35 lead, but the Lions went back on top with four quick points. Gazzola and Cimilluca both scored from in close to give TCNJ a four-point edge. The seesaw battle continued. NJCU tied it up, but then Cimilluca hit a three-pointer off of a Byrne assist to give the Lions a 44-41 lead. NJCU continued to hang around, and the Lions held a slim one-point lead at the end of the third.
In the fourth quarter, the Gothic Knights took a 51-46 lead with six minutes to play. Both defensive units tightened up down the stretch, as only one point was scored between the six-minute mark and three-minute mark. New Jersey City held onto a 51-47 lead with 1:39 left to play. The Gothic Knight defense was able to get stops, and New Jersey City held onto the win.
Gazzola led the Lions with 17 points, and she also grabbed eight rebounds. Byrne tallied 11 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Cimilluca scored nine points and dished out four assists. Blum grabbed 11 rebounds, and
Jane Beiermeister pulled down 10 boards.
The Lions will return to action at Kean on Feb. 15.
