JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The New Jersey City University women's basketball team ran through New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) competitor, Rowan University, on Wednesday, Feb. 9. Jersey City remained in the lead by the end of each quarter, holding the momentum. The Green and Gold ultimately took down the Profs 73-59 on their home court at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC).
Freshman Liyah Allen (Hillside, N.J./Hillside) put in the first couple points for NJCU (8-8, 6-5 NJAC), but Rowan (14-8, 11-4 NJAC) quickly responded with points of its own. Junior captain Laney Fox (Parkland, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons) made a huge three-point basket to put the Gothic Knights in the lead halfway through the quarter. Added shots by sophomore captain Damaris Rodriguez (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) and junior Jimmirah Johnson (Prospect Park, N.J./International) put NJCU in the lead 19-10 at the end of the first quarter.
Junior Janari Newsome (Newark, N.J./Technology) made the first layup of the second quarter, followed by another layup from Allen, making the score 23-18. Rodriguez and Johnson later added points, but Rowan gained some speed as they now trailed NJCU by only three points. Johnson finished off the half with another layup in the paint – the Gothic Knights led the Profs 32-29.
Junior Jada Camacho (Jersey City, N.J./Dickinson) put in two jumpers to start the third quarter. Rodriguez and Allen hopped in on the run with multiple layups and jumpers, pulling away from Rowan 44-30. Following a Profs' foul, Fox put in a single free throw that led to a missed jumper by Rowan. Freshman Tahirah Kelley (Linden, N.J./Immaculate Conception) found the rebound, which led to another made jumper by Rodriguez, assisted by Fox. Camacho added another jumper and three-point basket, putting NJCU ahead at 53-42. Johnson finished off yet another quarter with a layup in the paint.
The Green and Gold stayed ahead of the Profs 58-42 going into the fourth and final quarter. Allen made the first layup, pushing the Gothic Knights to an 18-point lead. After two good free throws by Rodriguez, NJCU was at a standstill until the final four minutes. Camacho and Damaris added a few final points before Kelley finished off the game with two made free throws. Although Rowan made the last basket, the Gothic Knights walked away with a 14-point lead, defeating the Profs 73-59.
Rodriguez ended with a game-high 23 total points, followed by Allen with 16, Camacho with 13 and Fox with eight. Rodriguez finished with nine rebounds while Allen, Camacho and Fox each found seven. Johnson led with team with three blocks, followed by Camacho and Kelley with two and one, respectively. Kelley and Rodriguez both counted three steals in Wednesday's contest. Rodriguez also led the game with 11 assists.
What's Next:
The Gothic Knights will hit the road to Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J., on Saturday, February 12. This will be Jersey City's second to last NJAC match-up before the conference tournament.
