EWING, N.J. – A long streak of 331 days without a TCNJ Athletics' event came to an end on Friday night. The actionless streak ended in great style, as the TCNJ women's basketball team earned a 65-54 victory over Stockton to begin the long-awaited 2021 season.

The first half was tightly contested, and TCNJ took a slim 29-25 lead into the break. The Lions grabbed control of the game with an 18-6 edge in the third quarter.

Stockton recorded back-to-back buckets to make it a 33-29 game with 7:56 left in the quarter, however TCNJ dominated the rest of the period with a 14-2 run. Elle Cimilluca knocked down a three-pointer to push the Lions' lead to 38-29. A few possessions later, Cimilluca set up Izzy Leazier who struck from three to extend the lead to 12.

TCNJ clamped down on defense to help keep the Ospreys at bay and continue the run. The Lions blocked five shots in the third quarter, four of those coming from Shannon Devitt. Julia Setaro scored a lay-up to push the lead to 43-31, then Devitt hit from in close on the next possession. Another lay-up from Setaro pushed the lead to 47-31 to end the quarter.

In her first game for the Lions, Setaro led all scorers with 26 points. Setaro transferred to TCNJ after playing her freshman season at Catholic. She shot 10-of-15 from the field, two-of-three from three-point range, and four-of-five from the free throw line. She also tallied five rebounds.

A pair of buckets from Carson Fontana and Sydney Blum pushed TCNJ's advantage to 52-33 with 8:45 left in the game. Devitt knocked down a pair of free throws to give the Lions their largest lead of the night, which was a 54-33 edge with 8:09 to play.

Stockton pulled within 59-48 with 2:42 to play, yet the Lions withstood the run to clinch the win.

Cimilluca scored 16 points and shot three-of-four from three-point range. Devitt scored 12 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and added five blocks. Devitt shot six-of-six from the free throw line.

TCNJ's defense forced 17 turnovers and held Stockton to 31.9% shooting from the field.

The Lions will return to action tomorrow, as the back end of the home-and-home will tip at 4:00 p.m. at Stockton.