New Jersey City University Athletics

 

JERSEY CITY, NJ…New Jersey City University led 45-42 with 6:23 remaining, but missed its final eight shots of the game and freshman guard Dominique Grice (North Babylon, NY/North Babylon) scored the final 18 consecutive points for John Jay College, including the game-winning lay-up with 41.1 seconds left, as the Bloodhounds slipped past NJCU, 50-48, in non-conference game Wednesday night at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.

 

The win breaks a seven-game losing skid for the Bloodhounds (2-8), who are victorious for the first time since November 18. NJCU (2-7) still leads the all-time series against John Jay, 7-4, despite losing the last two meetings between the teams. 

 

Grice led the Bloodhounds to victory with 28 points (9-20 FG, 10-11 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals in 37 minutes, and was the only Bloodhound to score in double figures. Her lay-up with 16:19 remaining gave JJC its largest lead of the game—seven, 34-27—and was the first of her 18 consecutive points.

 

In defeat, freshman guard ANGELA FITZGERALD (Jersey City, NJ/Marist) had a double-double, scoring a team-high 12 points (2-6 FG) and was 8-for-8 from the free throw line, to go along with 11 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks.

 

Sophomore guard TANIA GREENLEAF (Bordentown, NJ/Columbia) had 11 points (3-17 FG, 2-9 3FG) and was the only player to score off the bench. Junior forward ALAIA ROBINSON (Irvington, NJ/Irvington) hauled in a game-high 13 rebounds, adding  seven points and two blocks, while senior forward NATASHIA CLACKLEY (Long Branch, NJ/Long Branch) scored eight points and grabbed seven rebounds.

 

Also for John Jay, sophomore forward Zadoora Carson (New York, NY/Urban Peace Academy) had 10 rebounds (seven offensive) and junior forward Parker Griffin (New York, NY/Bishop Kearney) added nine boards and six points. Senior guard Ganimete Ukperaj (Bellmore, NY/John F. Kennedy) had eight points and three assists.

 

In a first half with six ties, NJCU led 25-24 at the break. JJC scored eight of the first 10 second half points to build the 34-27 lead. The Knights battled back with an 18-8 run led by Greenleaf who scored eight of her 11 points during the 9:17 advantage that put NJCU ahead 45-42 with 6:03 left. Greenleaf’s three-pointer with 6:23 remaining allowed NJCU to reclaim the lead, 43-42 and she hit two free throws for the 45-42 margin.

 

But the Bloodhounds gathered themselves and finished the game with an 8-3 run. Grice had a jumper with 4:20 left and added two foul shots at 3:12 to take a 46-45 lead. Sophomore point guard CAROLINA GARCIA (Plainfield, NJ/Franklin) hit the back end of two foul shots to tie the game, 46-46 with 2:58 remaining and Fitzgerald canned two more freebies with 2:18 remaining, as NJCU led for the final time, 48-46. Garcia missed a pair of free throws with 1:51 left that could have put NJCU ahead four.

 

Instead, Grice made two foul shots with 1:06 remaining to tie the game, 48-48, and her steal with 45 seconds left led to an easy lay-up with 41.1 seconds on the clock, for a 50-48 lead and the decisive points. NJCU had two chances to tie the game in the final 37 seconds but missed both shots, despite getting the ball back with 11 seconds remaining following a John Jay giveaway.

 

The Knights shot 6-14 from the stripe in the second half and were just 8-of-31 from the field in the period. JJC shot .322 overall (19-59). NJCU was 16-60 overall (.267) and 2-of-11 from long range (.182).

 

NJCU will be off for the next 25 days before returning to action when they visit unbeaten and #5 ranked New York University on January 7, 2008 at 7 pm. JJC hosts Pitt-Greenburg on December 27.