GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University women's basketball team defeated Stockton University, 97-89 in overtime in the first conference game of the season for both teams.
 
The Profs are undefeated at 5-0 overall and the Ospreys are 1-2. Rowan outscored Stockton 17-9 in the extra session. The score was tied at 82 (3:20) in overtime, then the Profs reeled off nine straight points, including three points each from guard/forward Melissa Lake (gr. Marlton, NJ/Cherokee), guard Anyssa Sanchez (jr. Stratford, NJ/Sterling) and guard Valerie Garofalo (jr. Ventnor, NJ/Holy Spirit), to take a 91-82 lead (2:14). The Ospreys got to within four points twice, but could get no closer.
 
Guard/forward Kaitlin Schullstrom (gr. Colts Neck, NJ/Colts Neck) poured in a career-high 26 points. Forward Kate Matthews (gr. Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson) scored 23 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and handed out four assists. Sanchez tallied 18 points and Garofalo added 12 points and five assists. Lake chipped in with nine points and five rebounds.
 
For Stockton, guard Lea Mendolla (so. Nutley, NJ/Mount St. Dominic) recorded 26 points, including seven three-pointers. Forward Sasha Williams (so. Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill W.) collected 18 points and 15 rebounds. Forward April Peterson (fr. Lafayette, NJ/High Point Reg.) accumulated 17 points and 13 boards. Guard Shaqui Coppage (jr. Salem, NJ/Salem) contributed with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Guard Taylor Christina (jr. Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Reg.) scored 10 points.
 
Rowan jumped out to a 12-4 lead with 7:23 to play in the first quarter. Schullstrom scored six points. The Profs extended their advantage to 24-11 at the 2:07 mark after a free throw by Sanchez. Rowan led 26-14 after one.
 
The Profs scored the first four points of the second quarter on layups by Sanchez (9:09) and Matthews (8:39). Rowan was ahead 41-31 with 2:25 remaining. Stockton used a 10-2 run to end the quarter, trimming the lead to two points (43-41) at the break.
 
The Ospreys took the lead at the beginning of the third quarter on baskets by Mendolla (9:03) and Coppage (8:39). The game was then tied six times including at 56 with 2:36 on the clock. Forward Marina Lukianov (sr. Howell, NJ/Howell) converted a three-point play to give Stockton its largest lead, 59-56 (2:14). Matthews hit two free throws (1:18) cutting the deficit to one point (59-58) heading into the fourth.
 
Christina nailed a triple (9:20) for a 62-58 Stockton advantage in the fourth. Rowan stayed close and tied the score at 69 (5:42) on a Sanchez jumper. The score was then knotted at 71 (5:07), but the Ospreys used a 7-2 spurt to take a 78-73 lead (2:41). The Profs drew to within one (78-77) after a pair of free throws by Sanchez (2:05). Williams made the score 80-77 on a layup at the 1:58 mark. Garofalo then netted a three-pointer with 1:42 to play, sending the game to the extra period.
 
Rowan returns to action on Wednesday, Dec. 2 when it travels to face Rutgers-Camden at 6 p.m.