JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The New Jersey City University women's basketball team delivered a commanding performance on Saturday afternoon, defeating Albertus Magnus College, 79-52, in non-conference action at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC).
The Gothic Knights (5-4, 3-2 NJAC) controlled the game on both ends of the floor, shooting 38.0 percent (30-for-79) from the field, including 34.3 percent (12-for-35) from three-point range, while converting 70.0 percent (7-for-10) of their free throws. Albertus Magnus (1-12, 0-0 GNAC) struggled to find offensive consistency, shooting 33.9 percent (19-for-56) overall, 24.0 percent (6-for-25) from beyond the arc, and just 36.4 percent (8-for-22) at the free throw line.
NJCU held the edge in nearly every statistical category, capitalizing on turnovers and hustle plays throughout the contest. The Gothic Knights outscored the Falcons in points off turnovers (19-12), second-chance points (17-5), points in the paint (26-24), and fast-break scoring (18-9). Albertus Magnus held a slight advantage in bench production, 6-4.
Sophomore Meghan Gentile (Roseland, N.J./Immaculate Conception) led all scorers with a career-high 28 points, adding three assists, six rebounds, and two steals in a standout all-around performance. Junior Autumn John (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) also recorded a career day, finishing with 23 points on an efficient 10-for-17 shooting effort, including 3-for-4 from three-point range. John was dominant on the glass, pulling down a career-high 16 rebounds—10 of them offensive—while also contributing four assists, three steals, and a block. She tallied her second double-double this season, fourth of her career.
Junior Bailey Cassell (Palmdale, Calif./Pete Knight) provided key contributions with a season-high 10 points, seven rebounds, and four steals, while junior Na'tori Postell (Passaic, N.J./Passaic Arts & Science Charter) paced the offense with a career-high five assists to go along with nine points, six rebounds, a block, and a steal. Sophomore Dasani Talley Dorman (Camden, N.J./Woodbury Junior-Senior) was disruptive defensively, recording a career-high five steals.
Albertus Magnus was led by Adriana DeBernardo, who posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while adding four assists, two blocks, and a steal. Isabella Fiorillo added 11 points, three rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Dejahlee Dogans contributed 10 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block, while Ava Johnson finished with 10 rebounds, seven points, three assists, and two steals.
The Falcons jumped out to their largest lead of the game early in the opening quarter, using an 8-0 run from the 5:16 mark to 3:45 to take a 16-10 advantage. NJCU responded late in the period, as Gentile knocked down a three-pointer with 1:30 remaining to reclaim the lead at 19-18. Autumn John (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) followed with a layup off a Gentile steal, and freshman Isabel Gidado (Fords, N.J./Colonia) capped the quarter with a three-pointer to give the Gothic Knights a 24-18 lead at the end of the first.
NJCU continued to build momentum in the second quarter. With 2:42 remaining before halftime, Gentile scored six straight points to give the Gothic Knights their first double-digit lead of the game at 35-23. Albertus Magnus answered with a 6-3 run to close the half, trimming the deficit to nine. John scored seven points in the quarter, while Gentile added six, as NJCU carried a 38-29 lead into the break.
The Gothic Knights took full control coming out of halftime. After Albertus Magnus opened the third quarter with a basket in the paint to cut the score to 38-31, NJCU responded with a decisive 17-0 run. Talley Dorman ignited the surge by converting two free throws after being fouled on a steal. During the run, NJCU knocked down three three-pointers and extended the lead to 55-31 with 5:31 remaining in the quarter. The Gothic Knights maintained their dominance through the remainder of the period, entering the fourth quarter with a commanding 66-41 advantage.
Gentile extended the lead to 30 early in the fourth quarter, finishing a possession after John grabbed an offensive rebound and kicked the ball out beyond the arc with 6:45 remaining. Albertus Magnus made one final push, using a 9-4 run to cut the deficit to 25, but the outcome was never in doubt as NJCU closed out the 79-52 victory.
UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights return to action on Wednesday, January 7, when they host NJAC rival Montclair State University at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
