The NJAC Rookie of the Week for the second time in three weeks, she is a big reason why, for the first time in its history, the NJCU women’s basketball team has started a season 6-0. The Gothic Knights have produced their best start to a season in the 51-year history of the program and their longest winning streak at any point in a season since the 1980-81/1981-82 campaigns after sweeping a season series from William Paterson for the first time since the 2001-02 season.
Rodriguez continues to be perhaps the most impactful player in the league as only a rookie, averaging 15.0 points, 5.5 assists, 5.0 steals and 3.0 rebounds per game with an incredible 2.8 assist/turnover ratio (11/4). In a 69-49 win over the Pioneers on February 19 — the most lopsided win ever for NJCU over WPU — Rodriguez posted a near triple-double. NJCU led by as many as 25 points. Rodriguez, vying for the sixth triple-double in school history and the first for a freshman, finished with 19 points of 7-of-11 shooting, including a perfect 4-for-4 from three-point distance, a career-high nine assists, seven steals and only one turnover in 37 minutes. She had 11 points, six assists and six steals by halftime to help stake NJCU to an insurmountable 40-17 lead.
The next day, in a come-from-behind, 62-46 win over the Pioneers in Wayne on February 20, Rodriguez posted 11 points, four rebounds and three steals. Down four entering the fourth quarter, NJCU outscored WPU 24-4 in the final 10 minutes. The Knights' dominance down the stretch was fueled by Rodriguez, who added seven of her 11 points in crunch time.
