GLASSBORO, NJ – The College of New Jersey women's basketball team came back in the fourth quarter to win 56-53 over Rowan University on Wednesday night.
Guard Kim Dana (sr. Freehold, NJ/Freehold) nailed a three-pointer that tied the score at 43 for the Lions with 6:56 remaining. The score was tied two more times before TCNJ had the lead for the final two minutes. Guard
Summer Crilley's (jr. Galloway, NJ/Holy Spirit) three at 3:18 put Rowan up 47-45.
The Lions scored eight straight points for a six-point advantage (53-47) with 1:35 left. Guard Kate O'Leary (so. Trumbull, CT/Trumbull) sank two foul shots (3:05) while Dana (2:17) and guard Charlotte Schum (jr. East Hanover, NJ/Morris Catholic) (1:35) each hit a three-pointer. With 21 seconds on the clock, Schum's free throw made the score 56-50. Crilley's three cut the deficit to three at the 18-second mark. The Profs had two more chances to tie the score but missed.
With the victory, TCNJ is now tied with Rowan for the sixth spot in the conference standings. Both teams are 7-7 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Lions are 10-10 on the season and the Profs are 13-8 overall.
Forward Chiara Palombi (jr. Manasquan, NJ/Manasquan) and Schum each totaled 13 points and eight rebounds. Forward Nikki Schott (jr. Washington, NJ/Warren Hills Reg.) contributed with nine points and seven boards. Dana ended the contest with seven points, six rebounds and four assists. O'Leary grabbed seven rebounds.
Crilley scored 11 points and collected six boards. Guard
Olivia Rulon (so. Cape May Court House, NJ/Wildwood Catholic) produced 10 points and five rebounds. Center
April Szymczyk (jr. Jackson, NJ/Jackson Liberty) pulled down seven boards. Guards
Anyssa Sanchez (sr. Pine Hill, NJ/Sterling) and
Alexis Kriley (fr. Fair Lawn, NJ/Fair Lawn) each added eight points. Guard
Valerie Garofalo (sr. Ventnor, NJ/Holy Spirit) dished four assists and had six points.
The first quarter ended with TCNJ ahead 14-13. Rowan started the second stanza with an 8-2 spurt to lead 21-16 with 8:05 left. Crilley contributed with five points in the run. The Lions pulled within two (24-22) after a layup by guard Nicole Shatsky (so. Marlboro, NJ/Marlboro) at 3:17. Guard
Mandy Jiang (sr. Kearny, NJ/Kearny) hit a three (29-24) at 2:07 and the Profs had a 29-24 advantage at the break.
Rowan had a 10-point lead (34-24) in the third period after a three-pointer by Rulon (9:40) and Garofalo's jumper (9:01). Schum made a three-pointer to trail by three (34-31) with 6:09 remaining. Garofalo had a basket, which increased the lead to seven (40-33) at the 1:34 mark. Schum scored with a layup (0:13) and the Lions trailed 40-37 going into the final quarter.
Rowan is home again on Saturday, Feb. 4 against New Jersey City University at 5 p.m.
