DANBURY, Conn. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University burst out to a 22-2 lead and posted the sixth largest margin of victory in program history, as the Gothic Knights roasted Green Mountain College, 92-29, in the consolation game of the Hat City Classic, hosted by Western Connecticut State College on January 3.

NJCU (6-5) led 52-18 at halftime, limited the Eagles (0-8, lost 24) to 11 points in the second half, and made 39 field goals in the game including nine three-pointers. Nine NJCU players scored at least six points each in a well-balanced attack. All five starters played only 12 minutes each as NJCU's reserves outscored the GMC bench players, 53-0.

NJCU scored 90 or more points in a game for the first time since the 2001-02 season and the 92 points tied for the 13th highest total in single-game school history. It was the 15th 90-point game in the 45-year history of the program. NJCU won a game by a differential of at least 60 for the seventh time ever.

Sophomore power forward Bria Smith (Bayonne, NJ/St. Dominic Academy), who tallied 22 rebounds and 20 points in two games, including a 16-rebound, 12-point effort in the opening round, was named to the All-Tournament Team.

Senior guard Jade Medley (Queens, NY/Hudson Catholic) was lights out from the field, hitting 6-of-9 from the field including five of her seven three-point tries, to finish with a game-high 17 points in only 12 minutes of action.

Freshman guard Irelynn Donovan (Coatesville, PA/Coatesville) notched a career-high 15 points—one better than her previous best of 14 (November 22 vs. Kean). She knocked down three three-points while playing a team-high 27 minutes.

Smith had her streak of five consecutive double-doubles snapped in a light day of action, but finished with eight points (4-5 FG), six rebounds and three blocks.

Also of note for NJCU, freshman guard Shekinah Suber (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) had eight points on 4-of-5 shooting with five steals and three assists in 17 minutes and sophomore point guard Jazz Randall (Parsippany, NJ/West Orange) dished five assists in 12 minutes, adding five rebounds. Sophomore center Ziyadah Williams (Jersey City, NJ/University Academy Charter) chipped in nine points (5-for-5 FT) and five rebounds.
 Senior point guard Mesha Laguerre (Union, NJ/Union) chalked up seven points (3-7 FG), five assists and three steals in 17 minutes. Freshman guard Amanda Lewis (Brooklyn, NY/Saint Dominic Academy (NJ)) provided six points (3-6 FG), five rebounds and four steals in 20 minutes in her third career game.

Green Mountain, which has failed to score more than 39 points in a game this season, was held to less than 30 points for the fifth time this season—all in its last six games. Allison Wadsworth scored a team-best 10 points in a full 40 minutes.

GMC was held to 21.3 percent shooting (10-47) and NJCU held a 52-30 rebounding margin. Meanwhile, NJCU forced 31 turnovers, 21 of which resulted in a steal, and the Knights held a 37-6 advantage in points off giveaways. NJCU also had a 20-0 cushion in fast break points and outscored the opposition 42-8 in the paint.
 

After NJCU scored the first eight points of the game, the lead swelled to 22-2 just 6:21 into the contest. Medley had eight of the points, including a pair of threes. NJCU's 34-point margin at halftime was its largest of the period. The lead surged to 50 points at the 12:35 mark of the second half when Laguerre hit a three. The largest differential of the game was 65 points (92-27) in the final 90 seconds.

QUOTES:
NJCU head coach Amy Mulligan (fourth season)

On the result: "It was a great overall win. The team played together and well. Jade had an on-point shooting game. We pushed the ball well and ran our offense which set up some great shots."

OF NOTE:

• Series: First meeting. NJCU leads, 1-0.
• NJCU is 15-0 all-time when scoring 90 points in a game and 43-1 when scoring at least 80 points.
• The 92 points was the most since scoring 94 against Farmingdale State on December 12, 2001 in Jersey City (94-50).
• The 63-point margin of victory is second most ever in a neutral site game.
• The 63-point margin of victory is the most since November 19, 1999 when NJCU set a program record with an 81-point, 96-15 win over CCNY.
• Jade Medley collected her 27th career double-digit scoring effort and seventh of the season.
• NJCU's 21 steals are the most in a game since recording 22 against New Rochelle on January 21, 2013.
• NJCU's 25 assists on 39 made baskets are the most since having 27 against Ramapo on February 6, 2008 and 25 at City Tech on January 28, 2008.
• NJCU's 39 made field goals are the most since computerized game-by-game records began being tracked in the 2000-01 season.

WHAT'S NEXT?
NJCU will host Richard Stockton College in New Jersey Athletic Conference action on Wednesday, January 7 at 6 p.m. at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center in Jersey City. NJCU is 1-4 in NJAC play. Stockton is 8-3 overall (4-1 NJAC). The clubs split the 2013-14 season series with each team winning on the other's home court. NJCU defeated Stockton, 69-66, on February 6, 2014 in Galloway, NJ in the last meeting to snap a 21-game losing streak to the Ospreys. Stockton leads the all-time series, 42-13. It will be the 56th meeting.