New Jersey City University opened up an early 14-point first half lead, but Rutgers-Newark slowly chipped away throughout the game before taking control late in the second half, en route to a come-from-behind, 54-47 victory, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference North Division contest on Wednesday at the Golden Dome.
With the win, Rutgers-Newark (5-2) wins its fifth consecutive game and improves to 2-0 in the NJAC. The Gothic Knights (2-4, 0-2 NJAC) lose their second straight outing.
For the second consecutive game, only four players scored for NJCU, and Newark owned a 28-0 margin in bench scoring.
NJCU was led by senior point guard LATRESE McNAIR (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth), who in defeat posted game-highs of 18 points (6-16 FG), 11 steals and four assists in 40 minutes. For McNair, the two-time national champion in steals per game, the 11 picks mark the fifth time in her career she has notched double figures in steals in a game.
Junior forward ARNESE GOODMAN (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) had 15
points (6-16 FG), three steals and two assists in 36 minutes. Junior forward TIFFANY BOYD (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) collected 10 points (5-10 FG), nine rebounds (eight defensive) and three blocks, while playing a full 40 minutes for the first time in her career. Sophomore center KELLY WILSON (Jersey City, NJ/Hudson County Prep) had nine rebounds, four points, and two blocks, but committed seven turnovers.
In its victory, the Scarlet Raiders had 10 players score, and received 11 points (3-7 FG), 10 rebounds, and three steals from junior center Stephanie Ross (Nutley, NJ/Nutley), including eight points in the second half. Junior forward Toni Roselli (Garfield, NJ/St. Mary’s) had a team-high 13 points and three steals. Junior forward Eni Fageyinbo (Morris Plains, NJ/Parsippany Hills)
finished with seven rebounds.
NJCU vaulted out to a 13-1 lead, as McNair, who had seven first half steals, scored seven quick points. The Knights held a 17-3 margin at 12:00 on a Goodman jumper; the Raiders first field goal of the game came at 13:03 of the opening period. NJCU continued to lead by 10, 24-14 on a steal and fast-break bucket by McNair, and maintained a seven-point, 26-19 half-time advantage. NJCU shot 47.8 percent in the first half (11-23), versus just 20.0 percent for Newark (5-25).
But the Raiders opened the second half on an 11-4 run, and tied the game at 30-30, on a pair of Ross free throws. There were four ties and three lead changes in the second half, including 40-40 with 6:20 left after Fageyinbo converted two freebies.
That was the beginning of an 8-0 spurt which helped the Raiders take control of the game. Roselli hit a long three-pointer from several feet behind the tape for a 43-40 margin, and a steal and fast-break bucket and free throw by sophomore guard Youngor Kehleay (Eatontown, NJ/Monmouth Regional) made it 46-40 at 4:47.
The Raiders put the game out of reach at 1:44 when Kehleay drained a deep three with the shot clock showing one second.
The Knights had a 28-16 margin in paint scoring, but the Raiders out-rebounded the Knights, 40-29, including 15-7 on the offensive glass. There were a combined 60 turnovers in the game (33 Newark; 27 NJCU). Newark shot just 30.6 percent overall (15-49), but converted 18-of-24 (75.0%) from the line. NJCU shot 39.6 percent (19-48). In the decisive second half, in which Newark outscored NJCU by 14 points, 35-21, the Knights shot just 8-of-25 (32.0%), while Newark made 10-of-24 (.417).
NJCU will return to action on Saturday, December 9 at 6 p.m. when it hosts Kean University in an NJAC inter-divisional game at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.
—www.njcugothicknights.com—
Newspaper Box Score New Jersey City University vs Rutgers-Newark 12/06/06 5:30PM at The Golden Dome, Newark, NJ At The Golden Dome, Newark, NJ RUTGERS-NEWARK 54, NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY 47 NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY (2-4, NJAC 0-2) Latrese McNair 6-16 6-10 18; Arnese Goodman 6-16 2-2 15; Tiffany Boyd 5-10 0-0 10; Kelly Wilson 2-4 0-0 4; Carolina Garcia 0-0 0-0 0; Jerica Hayes 0-0 0-0 0; Trisha Sanon 0-0 0-0 0; Jasmine Gadsden 0-1 0-0 0; Natashia Clackley 0-1 0-1 0. Totals 19-48 8-13 47. RUTGERS-NEWARK (5-2, NJAC 2-0) Toni Roselli 4-9 2-3 13; Stephanie Ross 3-7 5-6 11; Sabrina Sanchez 2-12 0-0 6; Youngor Kehleay 2-2 1-1 6; Eni Fageyinbo 1-6 3-6 5; Courtney Vacca 1-1 2-2 4; Nerlande Nicolas 1-6 2-2 4; Trina Whitehead 1-3 0-0 2; Indhira Cabrera 0-1 2-2 2; Olabimpe Fageyinbo 0-2 1-2 1. Totals 15-49 18-24 54. New Jersey City University.... 26 21 - 47 Rutgers-Newark................ 19 35 - 54 3-point goals--New Jersey City University 1-5 (Arnese Goodman 1-3; Latrese McNair 0-2), Rutgers-Newark 6-14 (Toni Roselli 3-7; Sabrina Sanchez 2-6; Youngor Kehleay 1-1). Fouled out--New Jersey City University-None, Rutgers-Newark-None. Rebounds--New Jersey City University 29 (Kelly Wilson 9; Tiffany Boyd 9), Rutgers-Newark 40 (Stephanie Ross 10). Assists--New Jersey City University 11 (Latrese McNair 4), Rutgers-Newark 10 (Nerlande Nicolas 3; Eni Fageyinbo 3). Total fouls--New Jersey City University 18, Rutgers-Newark 13. Technical fouls--New Jersey City University-None, Rutgers-Newark-None. A-80