New Jersey City University Athletics

 

NEWARK, NJ…New Jersey City University opened up an early 14-point first half lead, but Rutgers-Newark slowly chipped away throughout the game before taking control late in the second half, en route to a come-from-behind, 54-47 victory, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference North Division contest on Wednesday at the Golden Dome.

 

With the win, Rutgers-Newark (5-2) wins its fifth consecutive game and improves to 2-0 in the NJAC. The Gothic Knights (2-4, 0-2 NJAC) lose their second straight outing.

 

For the second consecutive game, only four players scored for NJCU, and Newark owned a 28-0 margin in bench scoring.

 

NJCU was led by senior point guard LATRESE McNAIR (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth), who in defeat posted game-highs of 18 points (6-16 FG), 11 steals and four assists in 40 minutes. For McNair, the two-time national champion in steals per game, the 11 picks mark the fifth time in her career she has notched double figures in steals in a game.

 

Junior forward ARNESE GOODMAN (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) had 15 points (6-16 FG), three steals and two assists in 36 minutes. Junior forward TIFFANY BOYD (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) collected 10 points (5-10 FG), nine rebounds (eight defensive) and three blocks, while playing a full 40 minutes for the first time in her career. Sophomore center KELLY WILSON (Jersey City, NJ/Hudson County Prep) had nine rebounds, four points, and two blocks, but committed seven turnovers.

 

In its victory, the Scarlet Raiders had 10 players score, and received 11 points (3-7 FG), 10 rebounds, and three steals from junior center Stephanie Ross (Nutley, NJ/Nutley), including eight points in the second half. Junior forward Toni Roselli (Garfield, NJ/St. Mary’s) had a team-high 13 points and three steals. Junior forward Eni Fageyinbo (Morris Plains, NJ/Parsippany Hills) finished with seven rebounds.

 

NJCU vaulted out to a 13-1 lead, as McNair, who had seven first half steals, scored seven quick points. The Knights held a 17-3 margin at 12:00 on a Goodman jumper; the Raiders first field goal of the game came at 13:03 of the opening period.  NJCU continued to lead by 10, 24-14 on a steal and fast-break bucket by McNair, and maintained a seven-point, 26-19 half-time advantage. NJCU shot 47.8 percent in the first half (11-23), versus just 20.0 percent for Newark (5-25).

 

But the Raiders opened the second half on an 11-4 run, and tied the game at 30-30, on a pair of Ross free throws. There were four ties and three lead changes in the second half, including 40-40 with 6:20 left after Fageyinbo converted two freebies.

 

That was the beginning of an 8-0 spurt which helped the Raiders take control of the game. Roselli hit a long three-pointer from several feet behind the tape for a 43-40 margin, and a steal and fast-break bucket and free throw by sophomore guard Youngor Kehleay (Eatontown, NJ/Monmouth Regional) made it 46-40 at 4:47. The Raiders put the game out of reach at 1:44 when Kehleay drained a deep three with the shot clock showing one second.

 

The Knights had a 28-16 margin in paint scoring, but the Raiders out-rebounded the Knights, 40-29, including 15-7 on the offensive glass. There were a combined 60 turnovers in the game (33 Newark; 27 NJCU). Newark shot just 30.6 percent overall (15-49), but converted 18-of-24 (75.0%) from the line. NJCU shot 39.6 percent (19-48). In the decisive second half, in which Newark outscored NJCU by 14 points, 35-21, the Knights shot just 8-of-25 (32.0%), while Newark made 10-of-24 (.417).

 

NJCU will return to action on Saturday, December 9 at 6 p.m. when it hosts Kean University in an NJAC inter-divisional game at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.