New Jersey City University Athletics

Box Score MAHWAH, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University had the ball with seven seconds left and a chance to tie or win, but a three-pointer by junior shooting guard JADE MEDLEY (Queens, NJ/Hudson Catholic) would not fall as Ramapo College held on to edge NJCU, 43-41, in the 2013-14 New Jersey Athletic Conference opener for both schools played at the Bradley Center.
 
Coming out of a timeout with seven seconds to play, sophomore point guard KIANA BRIGGS (Paterson, NJ/Passaic County Tech) penetrated 1-on-1 and kicked out to the left wing for a wide open look that just wouldn't fall and Ramapo grabbed the rebound as time expired.
 
The loss drops NJCU's record to 1-3 (0-1 NJAC) while Ramapo evens its mark at 2-2 (1-0 NJAC). NJCU kept it close despite shooting 22.8 percent overall (13-57) and 18.2 percent from three-point range (4-22) because of a substantial margin in turnovers, forcing a 24-14 differential, including 10 steals. RCNJ also struggled, shooting 34.1 percent (15-44) and 11-of-24 from the line (.458). Ramapo's reserves outscored the NJCU reserves, 20-2.
 
In defeat, junior guard ASHLEY VAZQUEZ (Jersey City, NJ/Marist) scored a game-high 15 points (5-14 FG), knocking down a trio of threes (3-7) while grabbing five rebounds without committing a turnover in a full 40 minutes of action. She reached double digits in scoring for the 22^nd time in 29 games at NJCU.
 
Briggs netted double figures in scoring for the third time in four games this year, finishing with 11 points (4-10 FG), three assists and three steals. Reigning New Jersey Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week BRIA SMITH (Bayonne, NJ/St. Dominic Academy) hauled in double digits in rebounds for the third time in four games, finishing with 11 boards (5-6) and two blocks in 24 minutes before becoming one of two visiting players to foul out.
 
Micaela Moore led Ramapo in scoring and rebounding with a double-double of 11 points (4-11 FG) and a game-high 14 rebounds (12 defensive). Doris Ilic and Tierney Henderson each contributed seven points off the bench.
 
The game came down to the final four minutes when Ramapo reached its third seven-point lead of the second half, 40-33, with 3:39 to go. NJCU was able to whittle it to four on a jumper by freshman guard JENNIFER KRYZINSKI (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) with 2:49 left and a Vazquez jumper with 43 ticks left after the second of three late RCNJ turnovers, to make it a 41-37 contest with 43 seconds to go.
 
A Vazquez steal on the inbounds gave the Knights back possession in a key moment and ultimately both schools would trade 1-for-2 free throws. After a timeout, Vazquez buried a three with 17 seconds left to make it a one-point game, 42-41. Moore made the front end of two free throws with 11 seconds left, leading up to the final sequence and the missed three off the back iron and backboard.
 
"Today was a tough shooting game but we gave ourselves a chance to win," said third-year head coach Amy Mulligan. "We have to continue to work on the defensive end and just hit a few more of those easy shots we are creating."
 
"Ashley had a great game for us and KIANA BRIGGS is starting to step up more and more each game. Bria still dominates the boards for us while contributing key pieces to the puzzle."
 
Ramapo led by five at the break (25-20) in a first half in which the hosts built an 8-2 margin in the first five minutes. A three by Vazquez gave NJCU its only lead of the half, 11-10, with 12:59 to play. RCNJ scored eight of the next 10, gaining an 18-13 cushion on an Ilic three before a pair of jumpers by Briggs shaved the deficit to one. Her foul shot with 3:10 to play tied it (20-20). RCNJ scored the final five points of the period with Ilic sinking another three as time expired.
 
After RCNJ claimed an early 27-20 lead to open the second half, NJCU strung together an 11-3 run to regain a 31-30 advantage with 11:23 to play when Medley knocked down a three. The Roadrunners quickly responded with an 8-0 run to go up 38-31, leading to the dramatic final four minutes.
 
NJCU returns to the court on Tuesday, November 26 at 6 p.m. when it hosts Rutgers-Newark in its NJAC home opener at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center on 'Coach Charlie Brown Court.'