Bracket
GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University women’s basketball team will play at William Paterson University on Tuesday, February 23 at 7 p.m. in the semifinals of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament.
Rowan, the South second seed, advanced with a 72-65 win over the North third seed Ramapo College in the first round. In the other semifinal game, Kean University (24-1) hosts the North second seed Montclair State University (16-9) at 7 p.m.
William Paterson (24-1) is the top seed in the North Division and Kean is the number one seed in the South. They received first round byes in the tournament. In the first round, Montclair State defeated the South third seed Richard Stockton College, 80-70.
The two semifinal winners meet in the conference championship at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 26 at the higher seed. The NJAC champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
In the first round against Ramapo, forward Amanda Jennings (sr. Turnersville, NJ/Washington Twp.) led the Profs with 31 points and 17 rebounds. Guard Gina Catanzariti (jr. Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) registered 18 points and eight boards. Guard Danielle Rohe (sr. Dumont, NJ/Dumont) totaled 11 points, five rebounds and four assists.
This is Rowan’s third straight appearance in the conference tournament. During the regular season, William Paterson had a 70-67 victory against Rowan (Jan. 30). Last year, William Paterson edged Rowan, 51-50 in the NJAC first round while Kean won 68-33 over Rutgers-Newark. In the semifinals, Kean had a 76-55 victory over Montclair State and The College of New Jersey eliminated William Paterson, 67-47. TCNJ won the conference title 69-57 over Kean.
Jennings leads Rowan in scoring (20.4) and on the boards (10.2). In the NJAC, she ranks first in scoring and field goal percentage (.596). She is third in rebounds, free throw percentage (.806) and blocked shots (1.40). In addition, Jennings is 10th in steals (2.24).
Forward Michelle Lala (sr. Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) is second on the team with 11.3 points per game (ppg) followed by Catanzariti with 11.2. Catanzariti is contributing with 6.2 rebounds per game (rpg) and Lala is adding 5.9. In the NJAC, Catanzariti is tied for fifth in blocks (0.96), ninth in assists (2.92) and 11th in free throw percentage (.708).
Lala is 15th in the conference in scoring and field goal percentage (.410). Rohe and guard Alissa Lamey (so. Northfield, NJ/Mainland Reg.) are averaging 7.0 and 5.4 ppg respectively. Lamey has compiled 138 assists and 65 steals. She is second in the conference in assists (5.52) and tied for fourth in steals (2.60). Rohe is eighth in three-pointers made (1.44), 11th in three-point field goal percentage (.281) and 15th in steals (1.80).
