EWING (NJ) – The College of New Jersey never trailed on Saturday afternoon as the Lions posted a 61-41, non-conference victory over visiting Delaware Valley University.
TCNJ improved to 4-5 on the season while the Aggies slipped to 2-6.
DelVal trailed, 13-9, after the first quarter, but an Ashley Smink 3-pointer two minutes into the second pulled them to within one. However, the Lions outscored the Aggies, 10-2, for the remainder of the half and they led at the break, 23-15.
DelVal got its deficit down to seven on a pair of occasions in the third quarter, the last coming on a triple by Danielle Skedzielewski with 6:26 on the clock. TCNJ responded with a 10-0 run and a 40-23 advantage. The Aggies followed with nine of the next 11, including four from Sarah Wills, to stay within range at the end of three quarters of play, 42-32.
Sam Foy opened the fourth with a free throw, but the Lions put the contest away with 11 straight points that became a 19-2 run. Both teams shot less than 38 percent from the field. DelVal managed to hit just five of 30 attempts from 3-point land while TCNJ was 9-for-24.
Skedzielewski finished with a game-high 18 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists. Nicole Smythe came off the bench and tallied eight points in 17 minutes of action. Smink and Wills each had six points and seven rebounds while Foy added seven boards as well.
Charlotte Schum paced the Lions with 14 points while Chiara Palombi added 12 points. Kate O'Leary finished with nine points and nine rebounds.
The Aggies will take on Lebanon Valley College in the opening round of the Moravian College Greyhound Classic on Friday, December 30.