UNION, N.J. (12/10/11) – The Kean University women's basketball team used a balanced scoring attack to defeat visiting Messiah College, 87-67, in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon.
Junior Naimah Clemons led six Cougars (7-2) in double-figures with a game-high 19 points, as Kean outscored the Falcons 24-13 in the final six minutes of the game.
For the Falcons (5-3), Dori Gyori had a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
The Cougars used a 10-0 run early in the first half to lead by 11 points at 19-8 with 14:01 remaining in the opening half. A three-pointer by junior Briana Winston extended the Cougar lead to a high of 12 points in the opening half at 22-10, before the Falcons pulled back to within four points at 25-21 following the 11-3 run with less than nine minutes in the first half.
Kean pushed the lead back to double-digits following a pair of free throws by senior Danielle McFadden for the 37-27 lead with just under four minutes remaining. The Falcons knocked down three three-pointers , including a pair from sophomore guard Chelsea Danel, as Messiah trailed 39-35 and 43-38, before Kean took the 47-39 lead at the break.
Kean forward Simone Smith scored 10 points in the first half, hitting all five of her shots from the floor, while junior guard Nicky Hess and junior forward Kira Maier each scored 10 points for the Falcons.
In the second half, a 9-1 run by Kean pushed the lead back out to double-digits at 63-46 with 10:33 left in the game. Messiah answered with eight straight points to trim the lead back to single-digits with 6:44 remaining, however that would be as close as the Falcons would get. An 8-1 Kean run extended the lead back to 16 points at 71-55 and the Cougars would lead by as many as 23 points in the final minute en-route to the 20-point victory.
Clemons hit 9-of-12 shots from the floor and added six rebounds, four assists and four steals, while senior guard Brittany Powell came off the bench to score 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Smith totaled 12 points and senior guard Noel Mathis finished with 11 points, seven steals, six assists and five rebounds. McFadden and Winston each scored 10 points and combined for five rebounds and two steals.
For the Falcons, Gyori added four blocks and two steals, while Maier also scored 15 points. Hess finished the game with 14 points and three assists.
Kean hosts Baruch College in non-conference action on Wednesday, December 14th at 7 p.m.