JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The New Jersey City University women's basketball team fell to Rutgers-Camden, 82–62, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) matchup on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the John J. Moore Athletic and Fitness Center.
NJCU (5–7, 3–5 NJAC) shot 32.8 percent (20-of-61) from the field, including 35.3 percent (6-of-17) from three-point range, and converted 69.6 percent (16-of-23) of its free throws. Rutgers-Camden (8–7, 5–3 NJAC) finished the night shooting 35.1 percent (27-of-77) overall, 28.1 percent (9-of-32) from beyond the arc, and 79.2 percent (19-of-24) at the foul line.
The Scarlet Raptors controlled the game statistically, holding advantages in points off turnovers (17–3), second-chance points (20–10), bench points (19–3), points in the paint (30–20), and fast-break points (13–3).
Junior Na'tori Postell (Passaic, N.J./Passaic Arts & Science Charter) and sophomore Meghan Gentile (Roseland, N.J./Immaculate Conception) led the Gothic Knights with 19 points apiece. Postell added six rebounds, while Gentile contributed five boards and two assists. Junior Bailey Cassell (Palmdale, Calif./Pete Knight) recorded a team-high eight rebounds to go along with four assists, three steals, and four points. Junior Autumn John (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) rounded out NJCU's top contributors with 14 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, and a steal.
Rutgers-Camden placed four players in double figures, highlighted by a pair of double-doubles. Tamea El posted a dominant performance with 19 points, 19 rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Courtney Edmundo matched her with 19 points and added 16 rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and one block. Gabriella Toledo and Zairra Galloway combined for 23 points, six rebounds, two blocks, and a steal.
NJCU briefly cut the deficit to one possession midway through the first quarter, trailing 9–7 with 4:07 remaining. Rutgers-Camden responded with a 6–0 run to build a 15–7 lead late in the quarter. Gentile knocked down a jumper with 57 seconds remaining, but the Gothic Knights still trailed 15–9 after one.
The Scarlet Raptors opened the second quarter with a 6–1 surge to claim their first double-digit lead at 21–10. NJCU struggled to find offensive rhythm for the remainder of the half and entered the break trailing 31–20, with John and Postell accounting for eight of the team's 11 second-quarter points.
Postell opened the third quarter with a three-pointer to bring NJCU within single digits at 31–23, but Rutgers-Camden quickly answered with a 7–0 run to extend the lead to 38–23. The Scarlet Raptors continued to pull away, closing the quarter with their largest advantage to that point, 54–37. Postell scored 10 of NJCU's 17 points in the period.
Rutgers-Camden buried a three-pointer in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter to push the lead to 20. NJCU was unable to trim the margin below 20 until Gentile connected from long range in the final 40 seconds to make it 79–62. The Scarlet Raptors answered with a final three-pointer to seal the 82–62 victory. Rutgers-Camden's largest lead of the game was 29 points at the 6:11 mark of the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights return to action on Saturday, January 17, traveling to Ewing, N.J., for a 1:00 p.m. NJAC matchup against the Lions of TCNJ.
For the latest news, updates, and information on New Jersey City University Athletics, visit NJCUgothicknights.com and follow the Gothic Knights on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
