LATRESE McNAIR MOVES INTO SIXTH PLACE IN STEALS IN D-III HISTORY
New Jersey City University broke open a 41-41 game with a 15-0 run that spanned 6:05, and the Gothic Knights received game highs of 19 points from senior point guard LATRESE McNAIR (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth) and 11 assists by senior guard BERNICE AMADEO (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne), as NJCU cruised past Rutgers University-Camden, 63-53, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference women’s basketball game at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.
NJCU (8-12, 3-7 NJAC) wins for the fourth time in five outings, while sending Rutgers-Camden (8-13, 3-8 NJAC) to its second straight defeat. Camden had won 10 of the last 11 meetings between the schools, and leads the all-time series, 27-17. There were two ties in the game, but NJCU never trailed.
Despite the win, the Knights are eliminated from contention for the NJAC Tournament, as Montclair State University defeated Rowan University, 72-59.
McNair finished with 19 points (8-18 FG), four steals and three assists, bringing her career scoring total to 1,164 points in 2,991 minutes. The four steals gives her 446 in her illustrious career, as McNair tied Mount Union’s Suzy Venet (1995-98) for sixth place in Division III history in picks. She is the current national leader in steals entering the game.
Amadeo had a season-high 11 assists, playing 30 minutes. She scored all nine of her points in the first half, shooting 3-of-5 from three-point range. Junior power forward TIFFANY BOYD (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln), who ranks No. 2 in Division III in blocked shots, scored 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting in 21 minutes, contributing seven rebounds and three blocks. Junior forward ARNESE GOODMAN (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) chipped in nine points (4-9 FG) and six rebounds.
Junior guard Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional), who entered the contest ranked No. 2 in the nation in steals, was one of three Camden players in double figures in scoring. She totaled a team-high 12 points (4-10 FG), with nine rebounds and three steals in 32 minutes, before fouling out.
Senior forward Karen Carter (Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken) added 10 points, nine rebounds and two blocks, while junior forward Carmen Oyola (Hammonton, NJ/Hammonton) finished with 11 points (4-10 FG) and four assists. Junior guard Krystal Jankowski (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) had a game-high 12 rebounds (nine defensive) and three assists before fouling out. Freshman guard Alexis Culbreath (Sicklerville, NJ/Winslow Township) had nine points and three steals.
NJCU opened the game with an 18-8 lead and were ahead by as many as 12 points, 22-10, with 6:46 remaining in the first period. A lay-up by Boyd made it 24-14 and the Knights led 28-19 with 3:47 on the board. Camden finished the opening period by scoring 10 of the final 13 points. A jumper and three-pointer by Oyola made it a one-point game, before NJCU went to the half ahead 31-29.
The second half was competitive early and a jumper by Hafiz tied it at 41-41 with 13:21 remaining. But NJCU uncorked the 15-0 run and seized a commanding 56-41 lead with 7:13 left. Boyd scored eight consecutive points during the tear, making it 51-41 at 7:57.
NJCU extended the spurt to 21-4 and held its largest lead of the game, 62-45, with 4:07 remaining after a fast-break lay-up by McNair. Camden scored eight of the final nine points, but the Knights prevailed by 10 points.
NJCU had a 36-20 margin in points in the paint and had a 22-7 edge in bench scoring and 14-4 on the fast-break.
NJCU returns to action on Wednesday, February 7 at 6 p.m. when it visits William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ for an NJAC match-up. Camden hosts Rowan at the same time.
—www.njcugothicknights.com—
Newspaper Box Score Rutgers University-Camden vs New Jersey City University 02/03/07 6 p.m. at Jersey City, NJ (John J. Moore AFC) At Jersey City, NJ (John J. Moore AFC) NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY 63, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY-CAMDEN 53 RUTGERS UNIVERSITY-CAMDEN (8-13, 2-8 NJAC) Imani Hafiz 4-10 4-4 12; Carmen Oyola 4-10 2-4 11; Karen Carter 5-13 0-0 10; Alexis Culbreath 4-8 0-0 9; Jennifer Williams 2-5 0-0 5; Krystal Jankowski 1-7 2-2 4; Amber Parker 1-2 0-0 2; Crystal Pezzano 0-9 0-0 0. Totals 21-64 8-10 53. NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY (8-12, 3-7 NJAC) Latrese McNair 8-18 3-4 19; Tiffany Boyd 6-7 2-3 14; Bernice Amadeo 3-5 0-0 9; Arnese Goodman 4-9 1-4 9; Natashia Clackley 2-5 0-0 4; Jerica Hayes 1-2 0-0 2; Trisha Sanon 1-5 0-0 2; Michelle Vasquez 0-1 2-2 2; Carolina Garcia 1-6 0-2 2; Tiffany Adams 0-0 0-0 0; Fatia Whitsett 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 26-58 8-15 63. Rutgers University-Camden..... 29 24 - 53 New Jersey City University.... 31 32 - 63 3-point goals--Rutgers University-Camden 3-9 (Jennifer Williams 1-2; Carmen Oyola 1-3; Alexis Culbreath 1-1; Crystal Pezzano 0-2; Karen Carter 0-1), New Jersey City University 3-16 (Bernice Amadeo 3-5; Arnese Goodman 0-1; Natashia Clackley 0-1; Jerica Hayes 0-1; Michelle Vasquez 0-1; Carolina Garcia 0-1; Latrese McNair 0-6). Fouled out--Rutgers University-Camden-Imani Hafiz; Krystal Jankowski, New Jersey City University-None. Rebounds--Rutgers University-Camden 43 (Krystal Jankowski 12), New Jersey City University 36 (Tiffany Boyd 7). Assists--Rutgers University-Camden 15 (Carmen Oyola 4), New Jersey City University 19 (Bernice Amadeo 11). Total fouls--Rutgers University-Camden 16, New Jersey City University 9. Technical fouls--Rutgers University-Camden-None, New Jersey City University-None. A-194 Rutgers-Camden leads all-time series, 27-17. Latrese McNair increased career steals total to 446; now tied for 6th in Division III history.