NEWARK, N.J. — The New Jersey City University women's basketball team picked up a dominant 18-point victory in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 4, at the Golden Dome Athletic Center over Rutgers-Newark, 83-65. Three different Gothic Knights finished in double-figures scoring against the Scarlet Raiders in the win.

NJCU (11-10, 11-4 NJAC) reach the over-.500 platau once again with today's win over Rutgers-Newark (3-19, 1-14 NJAC) and now finds itself locked in a three-way tie for first place atop of the NJAC standings, along with Kean University and Rowan University. Jersey City split the season series with the Cougars, with both team earning wins on the road, while the Gothic Knights bested the Profs in their lone meeting so far down in Glassboro, N.J., earlier this eason.

Against the Scarlet Raiders on Saturday, the Green and Gold outscored the home team in three of the four quarters en route to the strong victory. As is customary, junior guard Damaris Rodriguez (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) led NJCU in scoring with 25 points to go with game-highs in assists (11) and steals (7), as well as five rebounds, for her second double-double of the season. Also in double digits were seniors forward Jasmine Reese (Jersey City, N.J./Hudson Catholic) and guard Jada Camacho (Jersey City, N.J./Dickinson). The former notched 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal, while the latter was 5-of-11 from the field and totaled 11 points, a team-best eight rebounds, three more dimes and another steal.

The Gothic Knight started off the day on a high note, jumping out to a 10-0 lead, and never looked back. After leading by as many as 10 in the first quarter, NJCU built up a 21-point lead at 44-23 with 2:57 remaining in the first half against Rutgers following a 10-2 run. After the Scarlet Riaders trimmed it back down to 13 with 7:43 to go in the third, Jersey City then flew out to another huge 13-4 run to take a game-high 22-point lead at 61-39 with 2:45 remaining until the fourth. Both teams scored 20 point apiece in the game's final quarter, with Rutrgers-Newark managing to cut it to as close as 14 at one point, however the Gothic Knights once again asserted their dominance and stretched it back out to 18 for the final advantage.

Highlights:
- Junior center Jimmirah Johnson (Prospect Park, N.J./International) chipped in eight points on 4-of-5 from the floor, three rebounds, a steal, an assist and a game-best three blocked shots.
- Freshman guard Elyssa Russo (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck) saw 25 minutes off the bench and tallied seven points, two rebounds and two assists.
- As a team, NJCU dominated the rebound margin and finished with a 53-36 advantage.
- The 21-13 ratio on the offensive glass helped Jersey City to a 23-6 advantage in second-chance points.

Up Next:
The Gothic Knights return to action on Wednesday evening, Feb. 8, back at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC) in a battle for a share of first in the NJAC standings as Rowan comes to Jersey City for a 6:00 p.m. tipoff.