UNION, N.J. — After falling to Ramapo College in a showdown that came down to the wire Wednesday, Dec, 7, the New Jersey City University women's basketball team continued New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play Saturday afternoon, Dec. 10, on the road against Kean University. The Gothic Knights held off the Cougars for three quarters before using a strong fourth to defeat the home team, 66-55.
 
Jersey City (2-6, 2-3 NJAC) opened up the first quarter playing to a similar tempo as they did against Ramapo, as the lead changed hands four times. Kean (5-4, 3-2 NJAC) led 9-5 with 5:34 left in the quarter after the third lead change, but Jersey City answered back with a 10-0 run aided by junior guard Damaris Rodriguez (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus), who scored six of the 10 points during the span to give NJCU a 15-9 lead. The Green and Gold only allowed three more points in the final two minutes while producing one more field goal of their own to make the lead 17-12 at the end of the first.
 
The second saw struggles for NJCU as the Cougars went on an 8-0 run in the opening four minutes, allowing Kean to take a five point lead at 22-17. Jersey City, however, again answered back with a 6-0 run lead by senior guard Jada Camacho (Jersey City, N.J./Dickinson), who scored four points during the two minute run to give NJCU a 23-22 lead. NJCU, though, could only collect four more points in the final two minutes of the half as the Cougars outscored Jersey City 6-4, allowing Kean to lead by one at the half, 28-27.
 
The third followed a similar path to the second as Kean opened the half with a 7–0 run to make the Cougar lead 36-27. NJCU, then down by nine, went on its biggest run of the day to answer back as the Green and Gold scored 11 straight points. This time NJCU saw a different key contributor as junior center Jimmirah Johnson (Prospect Park, N.J./International) converted two critical layups in the post, as well as five more points from Rodriguez. With the run, NJCU led yet again, 38-35. Unfortunately, the Cougars outscored Jersey City after the run 11-7 to end the third and lead NJCU yet again by one point heading to the fourth by a score of 46-45.
 
The final quarter saw the most crucial portion of the game as the Green and Gold opened up the first 4:30 with an 8-3 run. Rodriguez and Camacho were the contributors again as NJCU led 54-48. Kean cut the deficit to as close as three points, as Jersey City led 54-51 with 4:45 left in the fourth, but NJCU ended the game strong, as the squad went on a 10-2 run to close it out. NJCU won by a final score of 66-55, snapping its four-game losing skid.
 
Additionally, at game's end, Johnson earned her fourth-career double-double with a career-best 14 points and a team-high-tying 11 rebounds in a total of 20 minutes on the floor. Two other Gothic Knights also cracked double digit rebounds; junior forward Kyara Cowan (Maywood, N.J./Hackensack) with career-best 11 and sophomore forward Briana Davis (Bronx, N.Y./Lincoln (via County Prep)) with 10. Lastly, Rodriguez continued what has been an excellent start to her 2022-23 campaign, as she produced a near-double-double with game highs in points (21) and assists (9).
 
Up Next:
Jersey City will take a brief break for the holiday and resume action in Salem, Va., on Thursday, Dec. 29, as the Gothic Knights take on Washington College (Md.) in the opener of the Susan Dunagan Holiday Classic, hosted by Roanoke College. It'll be the first time both teams meet as tip off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.