Box Score

UNION, NJ – The Kean University women’s basketball team defeated Rowan University, 89-64 in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Wednesday night.

Guards Cardiss Jackman (so. Tobyhanna, PA/Pocono Mountain West) and Melissa Beyruti (jr. Union City, NJ/Union Hill) led the Cougars with 23 and 21 points respectively. Center Chari’ Cooper (sr. Paulsboro, NJ/Paulsboro) totaled a game-high 16 rebounds.

Kean is 18-1 overall and 6-1 in the conference. The Cougars have a 13-game win streak. Rowan has an 11-7 record with a 4-3 NJAC mark.

For the Profs, forward Jillian Kane (so. Ridgefield Park, NJ/Ridgefield Park) scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Guard Kristina Wallace (sr. Logan Twp., NJ/Clearview Reg.) had 10 points, four assists and three steals.

There were 10 lead changes in the first 6:25 of the game. Forward Jessica Nimbley (so. Middletown, NJ/St. John Vianney) made two free throws for the Profs at 14:37. Her first one tied the score at 11 and the second put Rowan up by one. It was the last lead of the game for the Profs. Beyruti nailed a three-pointer at 13:35 that put Kean on top (14-12). Kane hit a jumper with 11:29 left and Rowan trailed 20-18. Kean followed with 13 straight points in a four minute span to lead 33-48.

With 2:15 left, the Cougars were ahead 41-27. The Profs ended the half with eight unanswered points to cut the deficit to six points (41-35) at the intermission. Guard Gina Catanzariti (fr. Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) contributed with three baskets and Wallace had one. Beyruti led Kean with 15 first half points while Kane had 10 for Rowan.

In the final period, Rowan trailed by three (42-39) after a layup at 18:35 by forward Ashley Cieplicki (jr. Haworth, NJ/Dumont). Kean broke the game open with 14 straight points for a 17 point advantage (56-39) at 15:09. Jackman and Beyruti each had three baskets in the surge and Cooper made two foul shots. Jackman compiled 18 points in the second half.

Rowan is back at home against William Paterson University on Saturday, February 2 at 3 p.m.