JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University women's basketball team played its final game of New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) tournament play Saturday evening, Feb. 26, home at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC), as the Gothic Knights took on Rowan University in efforts of securing the team's third consecutive NJAC championship. Unfortunately for NJCU, the Profs played a strong game defensively and Jersey City lost the game 79-70.
Jersey City (15-11, 11-4 NJAC) opened up the game with a strong presence on both ends of the floor, as in the first four minutes the Green and Gold held the Profs (20-8, 13-5 NJAC) scoreless and boasted an early 6-0 lead. In the quarter, junior guard Damaris Rodriguez (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) was electric to start off the game as she had a loud 13 point first quarter including four threes made from beyond the arc. NJCU maintained a five-plus point lead the majority of the quarter, but it unfortunately did not last as two late NJCU fouls including a crucial one beyond the arc with under a second remaining in the quarter allowed the Profs to convert five consecutive free throw attempts. At the end of the first, the game was tied 21-21.
The second saw a similar tale to the first as again NJCU led 24-21 early after senior guard Jada Camacho (Jersey City, N.J./Dickinson) hit a shot from beyond the arc, but both teams continued to trade points before eventually the game again became tied at 30-30 with 4:57 left in the half. Unfortunately for NJCU the final five minutes became the pure turning point of momentum for the Profs as they forced a variety of turnovers leading to a 12-8 run over the stretch. NJCU over the first three minutes of the span was only able to put together two points from the free throw line, while the Profs constantly pressured the offense with traps and double teams. They fought the Profs back late though, as they finished off the final minute and a half with a 6-0 run with both Rodriguez and Camacho providing more points from the charity stripe. However, at half Rowan led NJCU 42-38.
Consistency remained key for Rowan in the second half as again the defense forced multiple contested shots and turnovers, aiding the Profs to a 13-2 run in the first four and a half minutes stretching their lead to a game-high 15, making the score 55-40. Immediately after a timeout, momentum began to swing back into NJCU's favor briefly, as Camacho again began to heat up over a three minute stretch, scoring five points along with dishing a beautiful highlight reel assist to junior forward Sarah Edmond (Bloomfield, NJ/Bloomfield), propelling the Green and Gold to a 9-3 run cutting the deficit back to single digits making the score 58-49 Rowan. NJCU attempted to cut the deficit down further, but the Profs continued its consistent flow of offense scoring another 21 points in the quarter, allowing them to manage the lead in the high single digits as they led 63-55 at the end of the third.
After going down 10 in the opening seconds of the fourth, both senior guard Jasmine Reese (Jersey City, N.J./Hudson Catholic) and sophomore forward Liyah Allen (Hillside, N.J./Hillside) cut the deficit down to six points with back to back field goals to make the score 65-59. Unfortunately for the Gothic Knights this became the closest the deficit was cut down to the remainder of the game, as the Profs produced more pressure and turnovers defensively, as well as trapping multiple Gothic Knights in foul trouble. Rowan outscored NJCU 14-13 over the final eight minutes, capitalizing on eight of their 14 free throw attempts in the quarter. At game's end, the Gothic Knights fell to Rowan by a final score of 79-70.
Highlights:
- Three Gothic Knights cracked double digits, Rodriguez with 22, Camacho with 18, and junior center Jimmirah Johnson (Prospect Park, N.J./International) with 11.
- Johnson led the squad with a game-high 13 rebounds, leading to her fourth double-double of the season.
- Despite foul troubles, both freshman forward Jalynn Clark (Irvington, N.J./Elizabeth) and sophomore forward Briana Davis (Bronx, N.Y./Lincoln (via County Prep)) were again strong defensively in the paint, as they combined for five of the team's seven blocks.
- Edmond played well again defensively when on the floor for the squad, as she tallied seven rebounds and three steals.
Up Next:
The Gothic Knights await their future Monday, in hopes of securing an at-large bid in the NCAA Women's Basketball tournament. If not, they are eligible for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) tournament.
