New Jersey City University Athletics

BOX SCORE
GAME PROGRAM

JERSEY CITY, NJ…Despite owning a one-point lead at halftime New Jersey City University was outscored 37-20 by Drew University in the second period, and the Rangers used a 13-3 run midway through the second half to break open a tied game, defeating the Gothic Knights 58-42 in the 2008-09 women's basketball opener for both schools on Saturday afternoon at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center. In a game that saw 10 lead changes and seven ties, the Rangers came out victorious, leaning on a free-throw shooting percentage of 94.4 percent (17-18).

Drew (1-0) has won the last three meetings between the schools; NJCU (0-1) still leads the all-time series, 4-3. Drew snapped a six-game losing streak dating to last year while the Knights drop their fourth straight.

The Rangers were sparked by junior forward Jessica DelVecchio (North Caldwell, NJ/M.K.A) who netted 13 points, three rebounds and one steal and sophomore guard Ashley Logan (Westwood, MA/Westwood), who also poured in 13 on 3-of-6 three-point shooting and 4-of-4 free throws.

Sophomore forward Jessica Reid (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth Area) brought down 15 rebounds (11 defensive), scored seven points and blocked four shots. Freshman guard Victoria Ault (Middletown, NJ/Mater Dei) had 11 points and eight rebounds. Freshman guard Danielle Barber (Cape May Court House, NJ/Middle Twp.) was 6-of-6 from the line, finishing with eight points, four assists and three steals. 

Junior forward SHAYLA DANIELS (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) never reached double figures in points or rebounds in 14 games for NJCU last year, but did both in defeat for NJCU, contributing a double-double of 13 rebounds (11 defensive) and 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting. Junior point guard CAROLINA GARCIA (Plainfield, NJ/Franklin) added 11 points.

Freshman point guard LASHAWN OVERTON (Jersey City, NJ/Snyder) pulled down seven rebounds. Freshman forward ARNECIA JENKINS (Passaic, NJ/Passaic County Tech) had six rebounds and five points PATIENCE BROWN (Plainfield, NJ/Union County Vo. Tech) had five points and five boards.

Both teams were slow to have baskets fall in the first half with the score tied 6-6 with 8:31 gone in the period. Logan hit a pair of threes and added two free throws for eight points during a 10-0 run that gave Drew a 16-8 edge and Ault had a three to maintain a 19-12 lead.

But NJCU finished the second half outscoring the Rangers 10-2 in the final 5:02 of action as four players scored, capped by a Daniels lay-up with three seconds left for a 22-21 halftime lead.

The third tie of the second half saw a 29-29 deadlock before the decisive run that built a 42-32 lead. DelVecchio had five points, including a three-pointer that made it 40-31 before Barber capped the spurt with a jumper with 8:14 remaining. NJCU couldn't come closer than seven the remainder of the game. Drew's largest lead was the 16-point finale.

NJCU outscored Drew in the paint 26-14 but was hampered by 55.0 percent free-throw shooting (11-20). Each team shot below 30 percent.

NJCU returns to action on Tuesday, November 18 at 6 p.m. when it hosts New York University, while Drew hosts its annual Rose City Classic beginning on November 22.