JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Down 20 points with 3:42 to go in the first half, the New Jersey City Universitywomen's basketball team could have easily called it a season. But on Senior Night 2015, the Gothic Knights had other plans. NJCU used an explosive 16-2 run over a span of 3:48 between the end of the first half and early second half to whittle the deficit to single digits and outscored Rutgers University-Camden 47-28 in the second half en route to an improbable 72-66 come-from-behind New Jersey Athletic Conference victory on February 18 at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.
NJCU concludes its 45th season of women's basketball at 10-15 overall (4-14 NJAC)—its first season with double digit victories since winning 10 games in consecutive years in 2005-06 and 2006-07. Rutgers-Camden ends the season 9-16 (5-13 NJAC).
Prior to the game, NJCU honors its two seniors—guard Jade Medley (Queens, NY/Hudson Catholic) and All-NJAC point guard and captain Ashley Vazquez (Jersey City, NJ/Marist), who missed the entire season after suffering an injury in a preseason scrimmage. Medley finished her career No. 2 in school history with 88 three-point field goals.
Sophomore power forward Bria Smith (Bayonne, NJ/St. Dominic Academy) had an incredible effort in the win and she posted her eighth career 20-point scoring performance (fourth this season) and her third outing of 25 or more points. Smith generated her 14th double-double of the season and 24th of her career, scoring 25 points (9-21 FG) including 2-for-2 3-point shooting, with 13 rebounds (eight defensive), four steals and two blocks in a full 40 minutes.
Junior forward Deseree Johnson (Red Bank, NJ/Monmouth Regional) also played a full 40 minutes and netted 14 points including 13 in the second half and hit three triples (3-9 3FG) with seven rebounds. Medley wrapped up her two-sport volleyball-basketball career with 12 points, six rebounds and four steals in 30 minutes. She scored all 12 in the second half.
Sophomore point guard Jazz Randall (Parsippany, NJ/West Orange) chipped in 10 points and three assists off the bench while freshman guard Jesenia Montalvo (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) had three assists and three steals.
READ MORE: http://www.njcugothicknights.com/news/2015/2/19/02-18-15_WBASKETBALL_NJCU_vs_Rutgers-Camden.aspx