GLASSBORO, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Rowan University scored the first 11 points of the game, led 37-19 at halftime and defeated New Jersey City University, 65-51, in New Jersey Athletic Conference women's basketball action on January 31 at Esby Gymnasium.
 
NJCU (7-12, 1-11 NJAC) was the better team from the line, making the same number of free throws (18) as Rowan (14-5, 10-3 NJAC) in 11 fewer opportunities, but the Gothic Knights shot 23.1 percent from the floor (15-65) in dropping their fifth straight game.
 
Sophomore power forward Bria Smith (Bayonne, NJ/St. Dominic Academy) scored a team-high 17 points in 24 minutes, primarily from the stripe where she was 13-of-15, to overcome a 2-of-11 off night from the floor. However Rowan had a 20-rebound margin over NJCU (65-45) and the Profs limited Smith, the league's leading rebounder by a wide margin to a career-low equaling four caroms. Smith had notched 23 points and 18 rebounds in the first meeting between the schools on December 6.
 
Rowan's Kaitlin Schullstrom had a game-high and career-best 19 points (5-14 FG, 8-11 FT) and eight rebounds while center Kate Matthews was a difference maker on the glass for Rowan with 16 rebounds (eight offensive, eight defensive), six points and three assists in only 15 minutes.
 
The Profs also received a double-double of 10 points (3-6 FG), 10 rebounds and five assists from Anyssa Sanchez while Summer Crilley scored 12 points (4-8 FG) in 11 minutes off the bench.
 
Freshman guard Irelynn Donovan (Coatesville, PA/Coatesville) hit a pair of threes and scored 12 points in 19 reserve minutes for NJCU. Nine different players scored for the Knights but no others had more than six points.
 
Rowan took early control in the first four minutes of the game as all five starters scored a basket for the third-place Profs. By the time NJCU got on the scoreboard with 15:35 remaining in the first half, the visitors were never able to draw closer than six points the rest of the game. After NJCU closed within 21-15 with 8:26 to go in the period, Rowan scored the next nine points, moving in front 30-15 with 3:05 to play after a Crilley three. Rowan's 18-point, 37-19 cushion at the half was its largest lead of the opening 20. 
 The Profs scored eight of the first 10 points to open the second half to stake itself to a 45-21 lead (24 points) and extended its run to 24-6 over a span of 13:38 since NJCU drew within six points. The hosts led by as many as 25 midway through the half (53-28) before prevailing by 14.
 
Smith scored 10 of 14 points for NJCU during a 14-4 spurt in the final 10 minutes that closed the Knights within 15 but the guests couldn't extend the run. NJCU later scored seven of the final eight points and wound up outscoring the Profs in the second half, 32-28.
 
Rowan won despite shooting 3-of-24 from three-point distance (.125).
 
OF NOTE:

• Series:  54th meeting. Rowan won the season series and leads the all-time series, 42-12. Rowan won the initial meeting in Jersey City on December 6, 77-61.
• Bria Smith reached double figures in scoring for the 31st time in 44 career games and the 16th time in 19 games this year.
• Bria Smith's four rebounds equaled a career low. She had four rebounds at Centenary College on November 16, 2014.
• Irelynn Donovan tallied double figures in scoring for the third time in her career.
• NJCU's .231 field goal percentage was its second lowest of the season.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
In a makeup of a January 28 postponement (snow), NJCU will host William Paterson University in NJAC action on Monday, February 2 at 6 p.m. at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center. WPU (11-8, 7-5 NJAC, 4th place) won the first meeting on December 3 in Wayne, 78-70. Bria Smith had 17 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. It was a 2-point game at halftime (39-37).
 
Series: 67th meeting. WP has won 25 consecutive meetings since the 2001-02 season and leads the all-time series, 57-9.