JERSEY CITY, NJ…William Paterson University out-rebounded New Jersey City University, 50-16, and received game highs of 24 points and 17 rebounds from senior center Adrienne Kopko (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional), to defeat the Gothic Knights, 68-57, in a non-conference game at the John J. Moore Athletic and Fitness Center.
William Paterson (13-10), which also defeated NJCU in Wayne on November 27, sweeps the season series. The Gothic Knights are 11-11 overall. The game was Homecoming and Green and Gold Days, 2005 at NJCU.
Kopko shot 9-of-20 from the floor, had 10 of her 17 boards on defense, and added three steals. Also in victory for WPU, freshman guard Lauren Miller (Colonia, NJ/Colonia) had 17 points (6-11). Freshman forward Sheakia Jackson (Newton, NJ/Newton) added eight points (2-11) and seven rebounds, despite seven turnovers. Sophomore guard Luci Custis (Roselle, NJ/Abraham Clark) chipped in seven points, seven rebounds (five offensive), three assists, and three steals.
On senior night at NJCU, shooting guard ERIKA CUBILE (Jersey City, NJ/Academy of Saint Aloysius) had a season and team high 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 13 at the half. Sophomore point guard LATRESE McNAIR (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth), the national leader in steals per game, finished with 15 points (6-9), with two three pointers, and added five assists and three steals, short of her average of 5.1.
Junior forward MEGAN KABBA (Newark, NJ/Arts) added 12 points (4-8) for the Knights, while junior swingman BERNICE AMADEO (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) contributed seven points and seven assists.
NJCU led for two possessions of the first half, but WPU held a slim margin for most of the period, before heading to the intermission up by three, 33-30. The Pioneer’s largest first half lead was eight, 31-23.
The game remained close early in the second period, with WPU possessing a 50-46 edge at 11:11. However, an 11-0 run over a span of 4:08, capped by a Kopko jumper gave the visitors a 15-point advantage, 61-46, with 7:03 remaining. WPU led by 17 before winning by 11.
WPU shot .436 from the field (24-55) and 19-of-26 from the line (.731). NJCU was more accurate (23-49, .469), but had nearly as many free throw attempts at WPU had conversions (8-20). The Pioneers turned their decisive rebounding advantage into a 21-5 difference in points.
NJCU returns to action on Wednesday, February 16 at 7pm, when the Knights visit Brooklyn College. WPU, the second place team in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, visits Ramapo on Wednesday.
—www.njcugothicknights.com—
