Box Score

MAHWAH, NJ – Forward Jessica Nimbley scored a career high 28 points to lead Rowan University over Ramapo College, 75-72 in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Saturday.

Nimbley (jr. Middletown, NJ/St. John Vianney) was eight for 14 from the floor and 12 of 13 at the line. She also grabbed a game high 12 rebounds. Forward Ashley Cieplicki (sr. Haworth, NJ/Dumont) contributed with 20 points and 10 boards. Guard Gina Catanzariti (so. Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) added 11 points.

Rowan improves to 8-7 on the season and 2-4 in the conference. Ramapo drops to 6-10 overall and 1-5 in the NJAC. The Roadrunners were led by guard Stephanie Cannizzaro (so. Pequannock, NJ/Pequannock) with 26 points. Guard Brittany Hoffman (so. Belford, NJ/Middletown S.) totaled 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. Guard Malika Gilliam (jr. Roselle, NJ/Abraham Clark) came off the bench for 11 points.

The second half started with the Profs ahead 35-32. Guard Alissa Lamey (fr. Northfield, NJ/Mainland Reg.) had a basket at 14:08 that gave Rowan an eight point lead (47-39). At 9:37, Nimbley’s jumper made the score 57-51. Forward Tiffany China (sr. West Orange, NJ/West Orange) (7:55) scored a basket to cut the deficit to two (59-57). Lamey made two free throws at 2:33 for a seven point advantage (67-60). Rowan was up by six points (71-65) after two foul shots by Cieplicki with 1:37 remaining. Hoffman had a jumper and free throw at 1:32 and Ramapo trailed 71-68. At the 1:05 mark, Nimbley’s free throw made the score 72-68. The Roadrunners followed with a jumper by center/forward Beth Weinmann (jr. Pompton Lakes, NJ/Pequannock) at 49 seconds. Lamey made a free throw to lead by three (73-70) with 16 seconds on the clock. Gilliam’s jumper with seven ticks left cut the deficit to one (73-72). Nimbley sealed the victory at the line with two foul shots (:05). The Roadrunners’ three-pointer attempt was short as time expired.

The score was tied eight times in the first half. Cannizzaro had a jumper that tied the score at 16 (9:43) and she put the Roadrunners up by one with a foul shot. Gilliam (7:55), China (7:15) and Weinmann (6:42) all followed with a basket to lead 23-16. Rowan answered with a 14-1 run in a four minute span to go ahead 30-24. Nimbley scored six points, Catanzariti followed with five and Cieplicki had three in the surge. Ramapo made four straight free throws and Cannizzaro’s jumper tied the game at 30 with 1:16 left. Nimbley had a three point play, basket and foul shot, at the 52 second mark for a three point advantage (33-30). Cannizzaro hit a jumper (:36) and Nimbley also had one (:22) to end the first period. The Profs led by three (35-32) at the intermission. Nimbley finished the half with 17 points.

Rowan is on the road again at Richard Stockton College on Wednesday, January 21 at 6 p.m.