UNION, N.J. (2/1/12) – Junior guard Naimah Clemons had 30 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Kean University women's basketball team to a 77-54 victory over visiting Rowan University in New Jersey Athletic Conference South Division action on Wednesday evening.
The #21 Cougars (19-3, 10-0 NJAC) remained undefeated in the NJAC. Rowan (8-13, 2-8 NJAC) was led by senior forward Lauren Gregg, who had 14 points and five rebounds.
Rowan opened the game with a 6-2 lead, before the Cougars took control with seven straight points for a 9-6 advantage after a pair of free throws by senior forward Danielle McFadden. A jumper by Rowan senior Lauren Creel halted the run and a layup by Gregg would later tie the game at 13-13 with 10:41 remaining. Clemons answered with a layup of her own to put the Cougars ahead to stay, as Kean would lead by as many as 14 points (34-20) in the first half, taking a 35-22 lead into the break.
Clemons netted 17 points in the opening half, hitting 7-of-12 shot from the floor. McFadden chipped in with eight points and six rebounds, while Gregg led the Profs with eight points in the first half.
In the second half, Rowan cut into the Cougar lead and would pull to within 44-38 with 13:46 left on a layup by freshman guard Jade Bonder. Clemons opened a 10-0 Kean run with a three-pointer and the Cougars quickly extended the lead to 60-40 with 9:04 remaining in the game.
The Cougars led by as many as 25 points at 71-46 following a layup by junior Kyanne Sager, as they cruised to the 23-point victory in the final minutes.
In the victory, junior forward Simone Smith added 14 points and five rebounds, while senior guard Brittany Powell added 11 points. McFadden also reached double-figures with 10 points, seven rebounds and three steals and Sager totaled nine rebounds and five points.
For Rowan, senior guard Alissa Lamey added seven points, five rebounds and five assists.
Kean travels to Rutgers-Camden on Saturday, February 4th for a NJAC South Division match-up with the host Scarlet Raptors. Tip-off is 1 p.m.