JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | In the first meeting between the schools in Jersey City since 1985, Hunter College defeated the New Jersey City University women's basketball team, 78-43, on November 27 at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center ("Coach Charlie Brown Court"). Monday's game was NJCU's 2017-18 home opener.
 
Hunter improved to 4-1 as it outscored NJCU (0-5), 26-8, in the first quarter and held a 49-19 advantage at halftime. The Hawks stole the ball 21 times as they held a 32-10 advantage in points off turnovers and outscored the hosts in the paint, 48-22. NJCU committed 30 turnovers in the loss but only 11 in a much cleaner second half.
 
Junior point guard Jesenia Montalvo (Hillside, NJ/Bayonne) scored 11 of NJCU's first 17 points and finished 5-of-10 in the first half. She led the Gothic Knights with game-highs of 19 points (8-16 FG, 3-5 3FG) and five assists in 37 minutes on the court. Junior forward Nazjae Imes (Jersey City, NJ/St. Mary of the Assumption) hit all four of her first half shots for NJCU and finished with eight points.
 
Despite only playing 13 minutes and entering the game for the first time in the third quarter, junior forward D`Amonte Cancel (Freehold Township, NJ/Freehold Township) collected eight points on 4-of-6 shooting and pulled down eight boards (six defensive).
 
For Hunter, which led by as many as 40 points midway through the third quarter and never trailed in the contest, junior guard Jade Aponte (Baldwin, N.Y.) made five of her first six shots and scored 15 of the first 17 for the Hawks. She finished the night with 17 points (6-13 FG, 3-6 3FG) and six steals in 21 minutes on the court. In only 17 minutes of play, sophomore forward Janine Conway (Amityville, N.Y.) scored 17 points as she shot 70 percent on the night (7-10 FG).
 
Sophomore guard Phoebe Valenton (Maspeth, N.Y.) sank 11 points and added five steals and four assists in 32 minutes, while freshman forward Maya Thompson (Billerica, Mass.) finished the night one rebound shy of a double-double performance with 10 rebounds and nine points, swatting away four shots with three assists and three steals.
 
OF NOTE:

• Series: Hunter leads, 7-5, since 1977.
• First meeting between the schools since November 19, 2010 in New York, N.Y.
• First meeting in Jersey City between the schools in 33 seasons since a 72-40 Jersey City State College win on January 7, 1985.
• Jesenia Montalvo (Hillside, NJ/Bayonne) scored in double figures for the fourth time in five games this season and the fifth in 13 career games over two seasons for NJCU.

 
UP NEXT?:
The Gothic Knights play their New Jersey Athletic Conference home opener when they host the Pioneers of William Paterson University (3-1, 1-0 NJAC) at 6 p.m. It will be the 72nd meeting. William Paterson leads the all-time series, 60-11 (won the last four). Follow live stats or live video.
 
GOTHIC KNIGHTS on SOCIAL MEDIA:
For the latest on #NJCUWBB, follow the Gothic Knights on social media on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and SnapChat. Preferred hashtags are GothicFamily and GothicGameDay.