JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The New Jersey City University women's basketball team stunned The College of New Jersey, 66-65, on a game-winning layup by Autumn John (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) with one second remaining on Saturday, Feb. 14, at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.
John secured her seventh double-double of the season in the program's final game at the JMAC, finishing with 19 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block on 8-of-13 shooting.
The Gothic Knights (9-15, 7-10 NJAC) celebrated Senior Day, honoring Nyrohah Alvarenga (North Bergen, N.J./High Tech), Dionna Lenardo (Bayonne, NJ/Hudson Catholic), and Bailey Cassell (Palmdale, Calif./Pete Knight). The team also recognized the 2023-24 squad that captured the NJAC Championship against then top-seeded TCNJ.
NJCU shot 43.9 percent (25-of-57) from the field, 34.8 percent (8-of-23) from three-point range, and 57.1 percent (8-of-14) from the free-throw line. The Lions (14-10, 13-4 NJAC) shot 31.3 percent (20-of-64) overall, 27.8 percent (10-of-36) from beyond the arc, and 83.3 percent (15-of-18) from the charity stripe. NJCU forced 18 turnovers while committing 13.
Sophomore Meghan Gentile (Roseland, N.J./Immaculate Conception) led all scorers with 20 points on 8-of-20 shooting, recording her ninth 20-point performance of the season. She added four steals, four rebounds, and one block. Junior Na'tori Postell (Passaic, N.J./Passaic Arts & Science Charter) contributed 17 points, including 4-of-7 from three-point range, along with five rebounds and two assists. Cassell finished with nine points, a team-high three assists, and two steals.
For TCNJ, Grace Kowalski and Riley Ahrens each scored 17 points. Kowalski shot 5-of-8 from three-point range, while Ahrens went a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line and added eight rebounds. Katie Fricker grabbed a team-high nine rebounds with eight points, and Amanda Baylock tallied four assists to go with eight points.
TCNJ held advantages in points off turnovers (17-13), second-chance points (13-2), and bench scoring (17-1). NJCU countered with an edge in points in the paint (26-18) and fast-break points (10-4).
NJCU's largest lead of the first quarter came at 7-3 following a Postell three-pointer at the 7:52 mark. The Lions responded with a 17-5 run to build a 20-12 advantage with 3:18 remaining. The Gothic Knights closed the quarter on a 10-5 run, trimming the deficit to 25-22.
In the second quarter, Postell drained another three to give NJCU a 29-27 lead at 5:49. The Gothic Knights carried a 40-36 advantage into halftime behind John's dominant first half, as she posted 15 points and eight rebounds. NJCU shot 51.7 percent (15-of-29) in the opening half, compared to TCNJ's 32.4 percent (11-of-34).
The Lions opened the third quarter on a 5-0 run to reclaim the lead, but NJCU answered with a 6-0 surge of its own. The teams were tied 48-48 entering the fourth quarter.
The final period featured multiple lead changes. After TCNJ converted two free throws to take a 65-64 lead with under three minutes to play, Gentile knocked down a clutch three-pointer to put NJCU ahead 64-63. The Lions regained the lead at the free-throw line before the decisive sequence.
With seven seconds remaining, TCNJ attempted to run out the clock while commiting fouls. After a timeout, Cassell delivered a pass to John, who drove through the lane and converted the game-winning layup with one second left to seal the upset victory.
UP NEXT
The Gothic Knights return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 18, for an NJAC matchup at Rutgers University–Camden. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
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