New Jersey City University Athletics

JERSEY CITY, NJ…Sophomore guard Danielle Rohe (Dumont, NJ/Dumont) hit a straightaway three-pointer with 1:16 remaining and Rowan University finished the game on a 9-2 run as the Profs rebounded from a six-point deficit with 6:05 left to outlast New Jersey City University, 70-67, in the New Jersey Athletic Conference opener for both schools, played Saturday at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.

 

Rowan improves to 3-1 overall and 1-0 NJAC, while NJCU loses its fourth straight to fall to 1-5 (0-1 NJAC). NJCU out-rebounded the Profs, 47-32, including 21-8 on the offensive glass. But Rowan had a 44-13 advantage in bench points, and doubled NJCU’s output in the paint (36-18).

 

In defeat, freshman guard ANGELA FITZGERALD (Jersey City, NJ/Marist) had a game-high 24 points—her third 20-point outburst in six games to open her career. She added eight rebounds (seven defensive) and six assists in 39 minutes, shooting 11-of-16 from the line and 6-of-18 from the field.

 

Junior forward ALAIA ROBINSON (Irvington, NJ/Irvington), this week’s New Jersey Athletic Conference Player of the Week, had double digits in rebounds for the fifth consecutive game, finishing with a game-high 15, with six points and four assists. Sophomore point guard CAROLINA GARCIA (Plainfield, NJ/Franklin) delivered 15 points (7-16 FG) and four assists in 38 minutes.

 

Sophomore guard TANIA GREENLEAF (Bordentown, NJ/Columbia) provided 13 points (2-5 3FG, 5-6 FT). Senior forward NATASHIA CLACKLEY (Long Branch, NJ/Long Branch) had a career-high 12 rebounds (10 offensive) and six points.

 

Rowan received 21 points (9-13 FG, 3-5 3FG) and seven rebounds from sophomore swing Jillian Kane (Ridgefield Park, NJ/Ridgefield Park). Sophomore post Jessica Nimbley (Middletown, NJ/St. John Vianney) had 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting and six boards, while junior forward Ashley Cieplicki (Haworth, NJ/Dumont) collected 12 points (5-7 FG). Senior guard Kristina Wallace (Logan Township, NJ/Clearview Regional) had six assists.

 

In the first half, NJCU led 9-1 and the game was later tied 16-16 with 8:55 remaining, before Rowan slowly began to build a three-possession lead, the largest of which was nine points, 36-27 with 1:00 on the clock. Fitzgerald scored four of her 13 first half points in the final 22 seconds to trim the deficit to 36-32 at the half.

 

Rowan continued to lead for the first 5:35 of the second half before Robinson tied the game with two free throws (43-43) with 14:25 left. After another tie, 45-45, with 13:11 left, two baskets by Garcia and a pair of Fitzgerald free throws gave NJCU a six-point, 51-45, edge. It was one of four junctures of the second half where NJCU led by six, and the lead stood 61-56 with 6:05 left on a Fitzgerald lay-up. However, that would be NJCU’s last field goal of the game.

 

NJCU struggled down the stretch, missing several key open lay-ups. Over a 3:00 span, NJCU missed six straight field goals and was 1-of-4 from the line, as Rowan closed within one. Clackley made two foul shots with 3:05 left to make it 64-61, and Fitzgerald hit one more for a 65-61 margin with 2:34 left.  Nimbley turned an NJCU turnover into a jumper with 2:17 left before Fitzgerald made the front end of a pair of free throws with 2:01 left, making it 66-63.

 

But Nimbley cut it to 66-65 with 1:56 on the board and her feed to Rohe with 1:16 left set up the decisive three-pointer. Fitzgerald made the back end of two free throws with 59 seconds left to shave the lead to 68-67, and the Knights regained possession with 23 seconds left after Wallace missed a jumper. With the ball and a chance to win, Fitzgerald drove on the left wing, but was whistled for an offensive foul with 4.8 seconds left. Wallace hit two free throws for a three-point margin, and NJCU was unable to hit a game-tying three late.

 

Rowan shot .467 overall (28-60), including .560 in the first half (14-25). The Profs made 4-of-13 from deep (.308) and 10-of-15 from the line (.667). NJCU shot .344 overall (21-61) and .273 from three-point range (3-11). Despite converting 22 free throws (22-37), the Knights shot .595 from the line.

 

NJCU will be back in action on Monday, December 3 at 6 p.m. when it hosts FDU-Florham. Rowan next faces Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA on December 4 at 6 p.m.