EWING, N.J. — The New Jersey City University women's basketball team earned its sixth win in a row on Saturday, Jan. 21, splitting the regular- season series with The College of New Jersey in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play. NJCU won in a shootout, 65-64.
Jersey City (8-8, 8-3 NJAC) opened up to a tough stretch defensively as TCNJ (12-6, 7-4 NJAC) opened up an early 9-2 run with 6:39 to go in the first. The Gothic Knights killed the run briefly at the midway point, but the Lions again pushed another run, as this they led 14-5 with 4:08 left. It was at this point though, the Green and Gold came to life, as freshman guard Elyssa Russo (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck) nailed a momentum changing three building to an eventual 9-0 run to tie the score at 14-14 with :39 left. TCNJ ended converting before the buzzer and lead 16-14 to start the second.
The second saw the five separate lead changes, with both teams changing leads both early and late in the quarter. This time sophomore center Briana Davis (Bronx, N.Y./Lincoln (via County Prep)) stood out for the Green and Gold as she converted back to back layups in the paint to create a 24-20 lead with 4:27 left. This also turned out to be the biggest lead for the remainder of the half as TCNJ again countered back in the closing minutes to take a 27-26 lead with :23 left in the half. Roles though, would be reversed this time as the Gothic Knights owned the last possession of the half and made it count, as junior guard Damaris Rodriguez (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) converted yet another shot at the buzzer, this time putting back up a layup in the paint off an offensive rebound to make the score 28-27 NJCU at the break.
Rodriguez carried the hot hand into the second half as she converted a three to open up the third, aiding towards an eight point third. NJCU outscored 18-16 in the quarter, but especially continued to find difference sources of key production outside of Rodriguez, as senior guard Jada Camacho (Jersey City, N.J./Dickinson) converted to major three pointers that aided to a 44-35 lead with 3:58 left in the third. TCNJ didn't go out quiet though in the frame as they cut the deficit down to one with an 8-0 run of their own to make the score 44-43 with 1:21 left. Yet again the Green and Gold got another chance to close out the third as with :03 left as Rodriguez converted a fast break after a block, rebound, and excellent outlet pass from Davis. With the score became 46-43 NJCU to set up the fourth.
In the fourth NJCU commanded a hot start as after junior center Jimmirah Johnson (Prospect Park, N.J./International) converted a layup with 4:34 left, the Gothic Knights led by a game high twelve points, 64-52. The Green and Gold only scored one more point in the game that proved to be critical as Davis made a free throw with :17 left in the game. TCNJ produced a mighty 12-1 run in the closing minutes, but the hot start turned out to play the biggest factor in terms of time as despite two missed free throws from Camacho in the closing seconds, NJCU hung on at the buzzer 65-64 to earn their sixth consecutive win in conference play.
Up Next :
The Green and Gold return back home Wednesday, Jan. 25 at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC) for a 6:00 p.m. tip off, with the men's game to follow, as they look to make it seven NJAC wins in a row against William Patterson.
