New Jersey City University Athletics

Box Score JERSEY CITY, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Rutgers University-Camden outscored the New Jersey City University women's basketball team 21-11 in the fourth quarter behind a triple-double effort from sophomore guard/forward Cara Racobaldo (Pennsauken, NJ/ Camden Catholic) as the Scarlet Raptors ended up on top of a close battle, 62-55, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference matchup at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (Coach Charlie Brown Court) on January 13.
 
The Gothic Knights (1-13, 0-8 NJAC, Lost 11) led by four at halftime (30-26) and held a 44-41 after three quarters before Rutgers-Camden (9-5, 4-4 NJAC) used a 10-2 run over a third and fourth quarter span to reclaim the lead for good. RUC won for the sixth time in its last seven games. There were 10 lead changes throughout the game—seven coming in the first half.
 
Racobaldo produced the first triple-double against NJCU since Lehman did on January 30, 2012, finishing with 18 points (3-14 FG, 12-16 FT), 11 rebounds and 11 assists to go along with four steals.
 
The Scarlet Raptors were able to outscore the Gothic Knights in the paint during the most crucial time. In the fourth quarter they outscored NJCU 14-6 down low. Prior to the fourth quarter, NJCU held the advantage in the paint, 26-20.
 
Rutgers-Camden got a huge double-double from sophomore forward/center Michelle Obasi (Camden, NJ/Camden Catholic). Obasi dominated with a game-high 24 points (11-23 FG) and 14 rebounds (10 defensive) in 37 minutes.
 
In defeat for NJCU, senior forward Deseree Johnson (Red Bank, NJ/Monmouth Regional) chalked up her sixth double-double of the season and ninth of her career, finishing with a game-high and career-best 18 rebounds (12 defensive) with 19 points (7-24 FG; 3-14 3FG) and three assists in a full 40 minutes.
 
Junior guard Jazz Randall (Parsippany, NJ/West Orange) tallied 12 points (4-9 FG). Sophomore center Sharaunda Fiedtkou (West Orange, NJ/Bayonne) continues to show an outstanding effort on the glass with her fourth career double-digit rebounding effort—all this year. She tied her career-high with 12 rebounds (six offensive) and added eight points.
 
Key Moments:

• In the first quarter, Rutgers-Camden led 6-0 at the 5:23 mark before NJCU got on the board for the first time when Fiedtkou made a layup with 4:49 on the board. The Gothic Knights took their first lead of the game at the 2:59 mark when Marcielle Richards (Bloomfield, NJ/Bloomfield) laid it in. NJCU started the second quarter with a one-point lead (13-12).
• Just 20 seconds into the second quarter the Scarlet Raptors took the lead when Racobaldo laid it in, sparking an 8-2 run to give the guests their biggest lead of the half, 22-15, when Gabby Greene hit a three. NJCU fought back to tie it up at 23 less than three minutes later. Bizub and Johnson each scored in the final minute to give NJCU a 30-26 edge at the half.
• With the 10 lead changes, the biggest lead for NJCU was six (34-28) during the 6:14 mark of the third quarter on a Fiedtkou basket. Camden scored the next eight points to regain a 36-34 lead with 3:03 left in the quarter. Johnson scored four points in the final minute of the period for a 44-40 lead before heading to the fourth up three (44-41).
• Obasi led the charge in the fourth for Camden, scoring the first six points of the period on three layups that put the Raptors in front for good, 47-44, with 7:46 left.
• When NJCU whittled the deficit to one, Alexis Sommers scored on a fast break and Obasi scored twice, at 5:53 and 3:59, to make it a 54-48 lead.
• NJCU hung around and trailed by just three, 54-51, with 2:14 left, and again 56-53 with 1:00 to play when Randall scored inside. Racobaldo hit two from the line to push the lead to five with 34 seconds left.
• Any chance of an NJCU come back unraveled on the next two possessions. A three-point try hit the shot clock and after a Camden turnover, NJCU got the ball back. When the Knights called timeout without any remaining, Racobaldo hit two technical free throws to ice the win.

 
#KnightNotes:

• 56th meeting between the programs. Camden owns a 32-24 advantage all-time in the series.
• Deseree Johnson's career high 18 rebounds was three more than her previous high of 15 at Kean on January 24, 2015. Her previous season high was 12 on two occasions.
• The last triple-double against NJCU was by Lehman's Amanda De La Cruz with 16 points (7-15 FG), 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in 38 minutes on January 30, 2012.
• Deseree Johnson made three three-pointers in the game. With 87 threes in 83 games she is third in school history—one behind former teammate Jade Medley with 88 threes in 98 games (2011-15).
• Shauranda Fiedtkou tied her career rebounding high that she set during the previous game against TCNJ on January 9, 2016.  

 
What's Next?:
NJCU heads to Montclair, NJ to face three-time defending NJAC champion Montclair State University on Saturday, January 16 at 3 p.m. NJCU has never won in Montclair, NJ. MSU has won the last 24 meetings. It will be the 59th meeting. Montclair leads the all-time series, 55-3.