Kean University used its size to seize a 68-33 rebounding margin (+35), including 33-14 on the offensive glass (+19), and accumulated a 25-9 cushion in second chance points, as the Cougars, behind 28 rebounds from sophomore center Chari’ Cooper (Paulsboro, NJ/Paulsboro), held off a challenge from New Jersey City University, 81-72, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.
Kean improves to 10-2 overall and 5-1 in the NJAC, while winning for the fourth time in five games. The Cougars are 5-1 on the road. NJCU, playing for the first time in 20 days, falls to 4-5 and 1-5 NJAC.
In defeat, junior point guard LATRESE McNAIR (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth) scored a game-high 22 points (9-19 FG, 3-4 3FG). She added games highs of eight assists and four blocks, with four steals in 39 minutes.
The 6-foot-1 Cooper finished two rebounds shy of her own school record of 30, and helped Kean, which struggled from the field (28-73, 38.4%), control the glass. She had 15 offensive caroms, and added three blocks and three steals.
Junior forward Chi Clark (Maplewood, NJ/Columbia) added a double-double with 20 points (8-14), 14 rebounds and four steals, and 20 more came from junior guard Francine Bell (Orange, NJ/West Side), who shot 7-of-13 from the field and 4-of-6 from three-point land.
Sophomore forward Kimberly Smith (Burlington, NJ/Burlington) and sophomore guard Shirley Fernandez (Union City, NJ/Union Hill) added nine and eight points, respectively.
For NJCU, sophomore forward ARNESE GOODMAN (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) poured in 16 points (6-13 FG), including 3-of-7 from three-point range, and added nine rebounds (seven defensive) and four assists. Sophomore guard NATASHIA CLACKLEY (Long Branch, NJ/Long Branch) contributed 14 points (7-13), five assists and five steals in 39 minutes. Sophomore center TIFFANY BOYD (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) chipped in seven points, six rebounds, five steals, and four blocks in 23 minutes.
Kean opened up an 11-3 lead and continued to hold a multiple possession margin for most of the first half. The Gothic Knights twice climbed with two on jumpers by freshman guard ANDREA YUDIN (Guilford, VT/Brattleboro Union (VT)) at the 2:00 and 1:00 minutes marks, before the Cougars went to the half up 40-36.
A steal by McNair led to a fast-break basket for Clackley at 19:24, and Goodman drilled a three at 18:51, as NJCU went ahead for the first time since the opening minute of the game, 41-40. Another Clackley lay-up made it 43-42 at 16:37, before Bell scored the next seven points of the game, sparked by a three that put Kean back in front 45-43. She extended a lead Kean would not relinquish to 51-46 at 15:00.
A three by McNair shaved the deficit to two, 55-53 at 11:13, before a 9-0 run by the Cougars increased the Kean cushion to 11, 64-53, with 8:58 left. Kean led by as many as 11, four times in the final nine minutes of contest, before prevailing by nine.
NJCU shot similarly to Kean, hitting 29-of-74 (39.2%). The Knights made 54.5 percent of its threes (6-11), but struggled at the line where Kean nearly converted as many free throws (21-38, 55.3%) as NJCU attempted. The Knights shot 8-of-22 at the stripe, for 36.4 percent. The teams combined for 62 turnovers (36-26 Kean).
NJCU looks to return to .500 on the season when it faces Shenandoah University (VA) on Saturday, January 7 at 1 p.m. in the opening game of the Washington and Jefferson College Tournament. Kean next visits Scranton University at 7 p.m. the same day.
—www.njcugothicknights.com—
Newspaper Box Score Kean University vs New Jersey City University 01/04/06 6 pm at Jersey City, NJ (John J. Moore AFC) At Jersey City, NJ (John J. Moore AFC) KEAN UNIVERSITY 81, NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY 72 KEAN UNIVERSITY (10-2 (5-1 NJAC)) Francine Bell 7-13 2-2 20; Chi Clark 8-14 4-8 20; Kimberly Smith 4-7 1-4 9; Shirley Fernandez 2-6 4-6 8; Chari' Cooper 1-10 4-8 6; Ebony Jackson 2-6 1-2 5; Brittany Cleveland 2-4 1-1 5; Sarah Kozlowski 1-3 2-2 4; Melissa Beyruti 1-10 2-3 4; Allison Summerset 0-0 0-2 0. Totals 28-73 21-38 81. NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY (4-5 (1-5 NJAC)) Latrese McNair 9-19 1-7 22; Arnese Goodman 6-13 1-2 16; Natashia Clackley 7-13 0-0 14; Tiffany Boyd 3-10 1-4 7; Andrea Yudin 2-4 1-3 5; Megan Kabba 0-5 4-6 4; Brittney McCaa 1-2 0-0 2; Kelly Wilson 1-4 0-0 2; Moncia Lykes 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 29-74 8-22 72. Kean University............... 40 41 - 81 New Jersey City University.... 36 36 - 72 3-point goals-Kean University 4-11 (Francine Bell 4-6; Melissa Beyruti 0-5), New Jersey City University 6-11 (Latrese McNair 3-4; Arnese Goodman 3-7). Fouled out--Kean University-None, New Jersey City University-None. Rebounds-Kean University 68 (Chari' Cooper 28), New Jersey City University 33 (Arnese Goodman 9). Assists-Kean University 13 (Ebony Jackson 4), New Jersey City University 20 (Latrese McNair 8). Total fouls-Kean University 22, New Jersey City University 26. A-166