Union, N.J. (12/14/11) – Junior Naimah Clemons led three players in double-digits as the Kean University women's basketball team defeated visiting Baruch College, 82-64, Wednesday evening in non-conference action.
Clemons finished with a game-high 27 points as the Cougars improved to 8-2 this season. Junior Vikki DeTata led the Bearcats with 20 points as they fell to 5-4.
After exchanging buckets in the opening minutes, the Cougars then gained a lead they would not relinquish for the rest of the contest. Kean used their first run of the evening to widen the gap to double-digits as junior Kyanne Sager scored four. Senior Erika Jones capped off the 10-0 sprint with a tip-in with just over ten minutes to go in the half. The Cougars would extend the lead to as many as 18 on two separate occasions as senior Briana Winston netted a trey and Sager ended the half with two from the charity stripe to give Kean a 47-29 lead at the break.
Clemons provided 20 first-half points for Kean while Sager added six points and five rebounds. Junior Jessica Duleba recorded seven points, all from the free-throw line, and six rebounds for Baruch.
The Cougars then controlled the second half, pushing their lead to as many as 32 as freshman Meghan Williams netted a layup with just under nine minutes in the half.
Junior Simone Smith finished with a double-double 12 points and 10 rebounds while senior Noel Mathis added 10 points, six rebounds and six steals in the win.
Rookie Iyana Abrams tallied eight points and seven rebounds for the Bearcats.
Kean returns to action on Tuesday when they host Marymount University on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m.