UNION, N.J. (1/11/12) – The Kean University women's basketball team held on for a 60-55 win over The College of New Jersey in New Jersey Athletic Conference South Division action on Wednesday evening. 

Senior Danielle McFadden converted a pair of free throws in the final 15 seconds of the game for the Cougars (14-2, 5-0 NJAC) to make it a two possession game. 

The Lions (10-6, 2-3 NJAC) had used a 12-3 run to pull within 58-55 in the final minute.

Junior Simone Smith led Kean with 16 points and had three rebounds in the victory, while TCNJ senior guard Jessica Imhof led the Lions with 12 points. 

In a back-and-forth first half that featured eight ties and eight lead changes, the Cougars would close the half on a 8-1 run to build its largest lead of the half at 29-22 at the break. 

Smith scored 12 of her points in the first half, as she hit 6-of-9 shots from the floor.  Senior Erika Jones added eight points and four rebounds, while McFadden grabbed seven rebounds, including five offensive boards. 

After TCNJ opened the second half with a layup by Liz West, the two teams traded baskets before Kean senior Noel Mathis opened a 7-0 run with a three-pointer for the 38-26 lead just 2:28 into the half.

TCNJ pulled back to within single digits on a three-pointer by TIffany DeTulio, however six straight points by the Cougars gave Kean its largest lead of the game at 53-38 on a layup by Smith with 8:20 remaining.  The Lions responded with five straight points to cut the Kean lead to 53-43 and would eventually cut the lead to single digits at 57-49 on a pair of free throws by Imhof with just 2:02 remaining.

A free throw by Kean senior Brittany Powell extended the lead back to nine points, however Imhof knocked down a jumper and TCNJ hit its next four free throws to pull within 58-55 with 39 seconds remaining.  On the ensuing Kean possession, the Cougars missed the front-end of the one-and-one and TCNJ had a chance to tie the game, however Kean forced the turnover on the baseline and McFadden sank a pair of free throws with 14 seconds left to seal the win.

Jones finished with 10 points for Kean, while McFadden had a game-high nine rebounds.  Mathis totaled nine points, seven steals, six assists and five rebounds before fouling out in the final minutes. 

DeTulio added 11 points and five rebounds for TCNJ, while sophomore Kelly Roddy added 10 points off the bench. 

Kean hosts #6 William Paterson University in a battle of NJAC Division leaders on Saturday, January 14.  Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.