Box Score
UNION, NJ – The Kean University women’s basketball team won 81-66 over visiting Rowan University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Saturday afternoon.
Kean had four players that scored in double figures. Forward Tiffany Patrick (sr. Piscataway, NJ/Piscataway) recorded a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Guard Naimah Clemons (so. Newark, NJ/Newark Tech) contributed with 15 points and dished 10 assists. Guard Emily Cristaldi (fr. Summit, NJ/Summit) added 12 points while center/forward Simone Smith (so. Colonia, NJ/Colonia) chipped in with 11.
The Cougars, ranked second in the nation, are 18-3 overall and 9-1 in the conference. The Profs have an 11-8 record with a 6-3 NJAC mark.
For Rowan, forward Lauren Gregg (jr. Collingswood, NJ/Collingswood) scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Guard Gina Catanzariti (sr. Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) and forward Brittany Baum (jr. Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Egg Harbor Twp.) registered 17 points and seven boards apiece. It was a season-high for Catanzariti in points. Guard Alissa Lamey (jr. Northfield, NJ/Mainland Reg.) collected six assists.
In the first half, Rowan was ahead 6-2 at 18:22 after a basket by Gregg. Patrick made layups at 17:51 and 17:33 that tied the score at six. Clemons’ two baskets, 17:17 and 16:11, gave Kean a four point advantage (10-6). Catanzariti had a jumper (15:27) and Gregg hit a three (14:56) to lead by one (13-12). Rowan forward Bria Hill (fr. Atlantic City, NJ/Atlantic City) made the second of two foul shots (14:06) for a tie game (14-14). Kean answered with seven straight points for a seven point advantage (21-14) with 12:59 remaining. Cristaldi scored five and center Angelica Bermudez (sr. Jersey City, NJ/St. Anthony) had two.
Gregg’s jumper at 9:33 cut the deficit to five points (23-18). The Cougars were up 30-23 at 4:17 after a layup by Clemons. With 1:24 left, Smith had a layup for a 10 point lead (35-25). Catanzariti scored the last basket of the period with one second on the clock. Patrick totaled 10 points and six rebounds in the first half.
In the second stanza, Kean was ahead 37-31 at 17:59. Gregg made two free throws (17:37) and Baum had a layup (17:01) to pull within two points (37-35). Cristaldi (16:31) and Catanzariti (16:11) each made a basket and the Profs trailed by two (39-37). The Cougars went up by 11 points (48-37) at 13:32 after a 9-0 run. Patrick scored seven of the nine points. Guard Brittany Powell (jr. Tinton Falls, NJ/Monmouth Reg.) hit a three-pointer at 10:54 for a 13 point advantage (53-40).
Rowan came within seven points (55-48) at 9:35 after Catanzariti’s jumper. Kean pulled away with a 10-0 surge to extend its lead to 17 (65-48) with 6:49 remaining. Clemons’ two foul shots at 4:49 pushed the score to 72-51. Patrick ended the second half with 13 points. Gregg led the Profs with 13 followed by Baum with 12.
Rowan plays at home on Monday, February 7 against The College of New Jersey at 6 p.m.
