Box Score
NEWARK NJ – The Rowan University women’s basketball team won at Rutgers-Newark, 58-54 in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Saturday night.
Forward Amanda Jennings (sr. Turnersville, NJ/Washington Twp.) led the Profs with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Forward Michelle Lala (sr. Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) followed with 17 points and a career-high 13 boards. Guards Danielle Rohe (sr. Dumont, NJ/Dumont) and Gina Catanzariti (jr. Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) contributed with nine and eight points respectively. Guard Alissa Lamey (so. Northfield, NJ/Mainland Reg.) dished seven assists.
Rowan has an 8-5 record with a 2-1 conference mark. Rutgers-Newark is 7-8 overall and 2-2 in the NJAC. For the Scarlet Raiders, guard Jared Tactuk (so. Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) scored 17 points and registered seven assists. Forward Courtney Vacca (sr. Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) and guard Martyna Ruminska (jr. Kearny, NJ/Kearny) each totaled 13 points. Vacca also grabbed 13 rebounds.
The Profs started the second half with a two point lead (28-26) then had four straight baskets that made the score 36-26 at 14:37. Jennings and Lala had four points apiece. Rohe’s three-pointer at 11:11 put Rowan up by 10 points (39-29). The Scarlet Raiders pulled with three points (43-40) after a layup by Vacca with 6:50 remaining. Jennings scored with a jumper for a nine point advantage (49-40) at 4:23. Vacca had a free throw at 3:18 and Rutgers-Newark trailed by five points (49-44). Lala followed with two foul shots (3:08) and a layup (2:41) to lead 53-44.
Ruminska brought Rutgers-Newark within one point (53-52) after two free throws (2:14) and two threes (1:42, 1:03). With 35 seconds left, Rohe nailed a three-pointer for a four point advantage (56-52). Vacca hit two foul shots (56-54) with nine seconds on the clock. Lamey sealed the victory with two free throws (58-54) at the seven second mark.
There were six lead changes in the first period and twice the score was tied. Rutgers-Newark led by six points (10-4) after Vacca’s layup at 16:26. Rowan trailed by one point (12-11) at 13:07 when Catanzariti hit a jumper. She made two free throws at the 11 minute mark that gave the Profs a one point lead (16-15). Rutgers-Newark was up by one point (21-20) at 6:38. Lamey (4:46) and Catanzariti (3:14) each had a basket for a four point advantage (25-21). Guard Samantha Grippo (so. Edison, NJ/Edison) sank a three (1:42) to pull within one point (25-24). Lala scored with a layup (1:22) followed by Jennings (00:31) with a foul shot. Tactuk’s layup as time expired ended the half.
Next week, Rowan hosts conference opponent Ramapo College on Wednesday, January 13 at 6 p.m.
