GLASSBORO, N.J. — The New Jersey City University women's basketball team, in need of a big victory after a couple of tough losses over the Holidays, accomplished just that with a strong 87-82 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) win on the road on Wednesday night, Jan. 4, over Rowan University. A late fourth-quarter comeback attempt by the Profs was not enough as junior guard Damaris Rodriguez (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) poured in a career- and game-best 34 points in the victory.

The Gothic Knights (3-8, 3-3 NJAC) had three players score in double figures against Rowan (7-6, 3-3 NJAC) as senior guard Jada Camacho (Jersey City, N.J./Dickinson) chipped in 16 points and freshman forward Jalynn Clark (Irvington, N.J./Elizabeth) neared a double-double with 10 points and a team-best eight rebounds. After an even first quarter, the big difference came in the second quarter as NJCU outscored the Profs by eight to take a nine-point, 45-36 advantage into the half.

Quarter number three was dead even as well, as both squads scored 20 points, but the fourth quarter started off as all Gothic Knights. NJCU closed out the final minute of the third on a 7-2 run to own a nine-point, 65-56 lead and then scored four straight to open the fourth to make it a 13-point, 69-56 lead. Moments later, with 7:16 to go, Rodriguez drained a three to put Jersey City up by a game-high 14 at 74-60 and the game looked to be well at hand.

From that point forward, Rowan slowly chipped away at the Gothic Knights' lead to get to within six points on three occasions. Fortunately, the Green and Gold always managed some offense when they needed it to maintain their lead. The Profs first cut it to six with 5:02 left. After a NJCU timeout, Camacho sank a lay-in moments later to make it an eight-point game once again — she eventually stretched it out to 10 with a couple of free throws, as well, with 2:41 left.

Just over a minute later, Rodriguez came up clutch again with a jumper at 1:09 to stretch it to eight. Then, with under a minute remaining and leading by six, sophomore center Briana Davis (Bronx, N.Y./Lincoln (via County Prep)) sank a huge bucket underneath. The Profs did sink a three at the buzzer, but Jersey City held on for the victory.

Highlights:
- Rodriguez dished out 12 assists, which was a game- and season-high mark and resulted in her first double-double of the season. She chipped in four boards and three steals.
- Camacho added three rebounds, two steals, a block and an assist. She was 50.0 percent from the floor, as well.
- Davis chipped in six points, a game-best three blocks and two rebounds.
- Senior forward Janari Newsome (Newark, N.J./Technology) scored a season-best eight points — she was 6-for-6 from the free throw line.

Up Next:
Jersey City returns to action looking to string two NJAC victories together on Saturday, Jan. 7, back at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC) as Rutgers-Newark comes to Coach Charlie Brown Court. The Gothic Knights have defeated the Scarlet Raiders in three straight dating back to the 2019-20 season after having not beaten RU-N since Feb. 6, 2010.