JERSEY CITY, N.J. —
After falling to #6 Amherst College in a shootout Sunday, Dec. 4, the New Jersey City University women's basketball resumed New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play Wednesday evening, Dec. 7, at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC) against rival Ramapo College. The Roadrunners won the game 78-70 over the Gothic Knights.
Jersey City (1-6, 1-3 NJAC) opened up the first four minutes of the first quarter strong against Ramapo (8-0, 4-0 NJAC) as both junior guard
Damaris Rodriguez (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) and senior guard
Jada Camacho (Jersey City, N.J./Dickinson) combined for 10 of the 12 points produced by NJCU to give the Gothic Knights a 12-8 lead with 6:12 left in the first. Camacho produced eight of the 12 points, while Rodriguez scored two pointsShe also tallied three critical assists while to aid NJCU's early lead.
The Roadrunners answered back, however, and eventually took a 17-16 lead with 1:05 left. However, in the closing seconds of the first, junior center
Jimmirah Johnson (Prospect Park, N.J./International) converted her second layup of the quarter, putting NJCU back in the lead at 18-17.
The second saw both teams trade 4-0 runs in the opening minutes as NJCU led 22-21 with 7:32 left. The next six minutes saw momentum sift on both, as the lead changed four times before Ramapo finally took firm control of the lead by a game-high six points 36-30 with 1:34 left in the half. The Green and Gold, though, did not go out quietly as again the duo of Camacho and Rodriguez converted a driving layup and a three to cut the deficit to a one-point, 36-35 Ramapo lead. The Roadrunners drew a foul in the closing seconds and converted two free throws to lead NJCU 38-35 at the half.
The third was the turning point NJCU needed in the game as the Green and Gold opened up the second half with a quick 9-0 run to take the lead back over Ramapo, 44-38. Rodriguez again had a critical assist in the run as she produced five of the nine points in the run, as well as dished a highlight reel assist to sophomore forward
Briana Davis (Bronx, N.Y./Lincoln (via County Prep)). With 2:14 left, Ramapo took the lead back after going on a 9-2 run to lead 47-46, but NJCU battled back to take a 50-49 lead after Camacho made two crucial free throws for her 17th point in the game with 27 seconds left. Neither team scored to end the quarter, allowing NJCU to carry the advantage into the fourth.
The fourth saw momentum play its biggest factor as the quarter was tied six separate times, including 68-68 with 1:56 left in the game after the Roadrunners converted on the free throw line. During that span, both Camacho and Rodriguez cracked the 20-point mark as Camacho scored her fourth and final three of the contest with 5:10 left. Rodriguez ended the contest with 24 points. Unfortunately for NJCU, momentum fell back to Ramapo's side as the Roadrunners went on a 10-2 run to close out the contest. Ramapo defeated NJCU by a final score 78-70.
Up Next :
Jersey City heads on the road to Union, N.J., on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 3:00 p.m. to continue NJAC play against Kean University. The Green and Gold looks to change their fate against the Cougars, as they lost 81-65 to Kean on February 2 the last time both teams faced off.
