JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University women's basketball team opened up the 2023-24 season on Tuesday, Nov. 14th, hosting the Falcons of Albertus Magnus College. Albertus Magnus spoiled NJCU's season opener, as the Gothic Knights fell 82-75 in a game that came down to the final minute of play.
NJCU (0-1) and Albertus Magnus (3-1) went back and forth all evening. The first points of the season were claimed by senior center
Jimmirah Johnson (Prospect Park, N.J., International), who recorded a game-high 14 rebounds in just 24 minutes of play. Despite NJCU shooting just 33 percent from the field in the first quarter, they only trailed by four.
The Gothic Knights looked much better offensively in the second quarter, with senior point guard
Damaris Rodriguez (Secaucus, N.J., Secaucus) exploding for 14 of the team's 23 points. NJCU was able to tie the game at 38 with just over a minute to go before halftime, but the Falcons got a fast break layup to give them a 40-38 lead.
NJCU continued to apply pressure in the third, scoring 22 in the quarter and leading by as many as nine. Sophomore guard
Tahirah Kelley (Linden, N.J., Immaculate Conception) scored seven points on 3-of-4 shooting in the quarter, and sophomore guard
Elyssa Russo (Teaneck, N.J., Teaneck) was fouled on a three-point shot with three seconds to go in the period. Russo hit all three free throws, and NJCU had itself a four-point lead going into the fourth.
A mid range jumper by senior forward
Kyara Cowan (Maywood, N.J., Hackensack) gave NJCU a six-point lead to start the fourth quarter, but Albertus Magnus was able to stay in the game and trade leads with the Gothic Knights several times. With 1:16 to go, junior guard
Alaisha Mumford (Jersey City, N.J., Lincoln) sunk both free throws after being fouled on a fast break, and gave the Green and Gold a two-point lead. The Falcons missed their next shot, and NJCU had an opportunity to extend it's lead, but missed multiple layups and put-back attempts. After a timeout by Albertus Magnus, the Falcons hit a go-ahead left wing three with five seconds left on the clock. NJCU called a timeout to draw up their final play, but turned the ball back over to the Falcons with two seconds left.
Rodriguez was subsequently called for a technical foul on the ensuing Falcons' possession, followed by head coach
Pat Devaney, Sr., who was then called for two techs. Albertus Magnus, who had possession with a one-point lead at the time, sank all six technical free throws to put the game out of reach for the Green and Gold.
Highlights:
- Rodriguez led the team in points (29) and assists (7).
- Johnson had a game-high 14 rebounds.
- Kelley recorded four steals in 19 minutes on the floor.
Up Next:
The Gothic Knights have a week until their next game, where they will open up New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play. They are set to face the Montclair State University Red Hawks next Tuesday, Nov. 21, and that game will tip off at 5:30 p.m. in Montclair, N.J.
