New Jersey City University Athletics

Box Score BOX SCORE

GLENSIDE, PA (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University received a career-high 17 points from junior guard GABRIELLE RIVERA (Teaneck, NJ/Saint Joseph of the Palisades), but Arcadia University  rookie guard Michaela Holleran (Gilbertsville, PA/Pope John Paul II High) came off the bench and drained all eight three-pointers she attempted to set a school record as Knights defeated visiting NJCU, 84-67 in a non-conference  women's basketball game on Monday night at the Kuch Center's Alumni Gymnasium.
 
Arcadia (3-8) won its second game in its last three outings while NJCU (3-9) dropped its fourth in a row. It was the first ever meeting between the two teams in women's basketball.
 
NJCU had its best shooting performance of the season, converting 28-of-64 for 43.8 percent. But Arcadia countered with an incredible 53.4 percent shooting (31-58), including a staggering 12-of-20 from three-point distance, for a 60 percent long-range percentage. The 12 three-pointers made are the most on record by an opponent since computerized box scores became available in 2000.
 
“We played a great team game,” said first-year coach Amy Mulligan. “It was a tough loss because Arcadia shot lights out. I think as a team we played a great game both offensively and defensively. Today we grew and saw contributions from many different players.”
 
Holleran set a school record for single-game three-point percentage (100 percent) and tied the record for threes in a game. She missed the lone two-pointer she took, finishing the game 8-for-9 in 34 minutes.
 
Rivera shot 7-for-16 with five steals and three assists in 39 minutes of play. Junior forward DELIA CHERNEZ (Union City, NJ/Union City) grabbed a career-high and game-best 13 rebounds (eight offensive) and added career highs for points (8) and assists (6). She led NJCU's rebounding efforts as NJCU owned a 43-32 margin on the glass including 23-10 on the offensive end.
 
Sophomore forward MARIA SUAREZ (Cliffside Park, NJ/Cliffside Park) finished with 11 points (5-8 FG) and seven rebounds in 14 reserve minutes. Also for NJCU, sophomore forward ALNISA HERNAIZ (Irvington, NJ/Irvington) had 11 points (5-11) and six rebounds. Junior forward MAXINE KAMINSKI (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) and junior forward KERRI CASSARELLO (Keansburg, NJ/Keansburg) each netted nine points.
 
Also for Arcadia, rookie forward Victoria Roukas (Palisades Park, NJ/Immaculate Conception) finished with 18 points (9-15) and seven rebounds in 26 minutes. Junior forward Jackie Law (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood) added 10 points (5-8 FG) and nine rebounds. Sophomore guard Jenna Crothers (Patchogue, NY/Patchogue-Medford) chipped in 10 points. Junior guard Angie Adams (Elkins Park, PA/Abington Friends) contributed seven points, seven assists and four steals.
 
New Jersey City came out strong in the first half, jumping out to a 12-2 after the first four minutes of play behind six points from Rivera before Holleran and the Arcadia Knights responded back with a 14-3 run, which included the rookie's first three-pointer of the game.
 
Holleran's second three, at the 8:58 mark tied the score at 23, and proved to be an offensive spark for the Knights. Her third three gave the hosts a four-point lead. NJCU responded with seven of the next nine points, and gained a 30-29 cushion on a three from Cassarello. But Arcadia finished the period on a 10-2 streak and built a 39-32 halftime advantage on Holleran's fifth three of the opening 20 minutes.  

The hot shooting continued into the early second half as Arcadia extended its run to 23-4, building a 52-34 advantage with 16:04 left, 52-34. That matched the hosts largest lead of the night and Arcadia led by double figures the remainder of the contest before prevailing by 17.
 
NJCU will next host Montclair State University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference match-up on Wednesday, January 11 at 6 p.m. at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.