SOURCE: https://njcugothicknights.com/news/2018/12/12/201812-12_WBASKETBALL_at_TCNJ.aspx
EWING, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Just two nights after breaking its 42-game losing streak, the New Jersey City University women's basketball team nearly captured another historic win, falling just short against preseason New Jersey Athletic Conference favorite The College of New Jersey (7-3, 6-0 NJAC), dropping a 72-65 decision on December 12 at Packer Hall.
NJCU (1-9, 0-6 NJAC) trailed by just three points with eight minutes remaining before TCNJ scored the next seven points and kept the Gothic Knights at arm's length the rest of the tight contest. In a remarkable sister act, seniors Marajiah and Miesha Bacon (Neptune, NJ/Neptune) combined for 57 of the Knights' 65 points on the evening.
Marajiah Bacon (Neptune, NJ/Neptune) tallied a game-high and NJCU career-best 32 points—only the third 30-point game for an NJCU player in the last decade—to go along with three rebounds, two assists, and two steals in a full 40 minutes. The senior captain has scored at least 15 points every game in a Gothic Knight jersey, but this was the first time she cracked the 30 barrier. It was her 17th career 30-point scoring effort between NJCU and Kean. Now with 1,816 career points, she moved into sixth place in scoring in the history of the NJAC.
She was the first NJCU player to score 30 in a game since Tu'ziah Hall (Greenville, NC/Banneker (NC)) netted 30—also against TCNJ—on December 10, 2016. Meanwhile, it was the most points by an NJCU player in exactly nine years; Ebony Cunningham scored 35 at York (NY) on December 12, 2009.
Meanwhile, Miesha Bacon (Neptune, NJ/Neptune) had a career night for the second consecutive game, tallying a monster double-double with 25 points and 15 rebounds. She also led the team in assists and steals, with three each in 33 minutes. Both scoring and rebounding totals were career highs.
Despite going on the road and facing the preseason near-unanimous conference favorites—and a team currently undefeated in the NJAC—the Knights came out of the gates guns-a-blazing. Zyearah Taylor-Gaston (Jersey City, NJ/Marist (via St. Anthony)) got the first NJCU bucket of the game just over two minutes in, and the Knights continued their recent trend of getting off to hot starts, winning the first quarter against the Lions, 17-15.
It was only the second time this season the Lions have trailed an NJAC game after the first quarter.
The second quarter started off well, with NJCU extending their lead out to five (20-15)—the largest lead they would have all game. However, the Lions quickly tied things up, and a late 7-0 run from TCNJ sent NJCU into the half trailing 35-27.
When TCNJ came out of the half with a basket on their first possession, it appeared as though this might be the beginning of the end. The Knights had held strong for a half, but this was the team with the best record in the conference hosting the team on the other end of the standings. However, the Knights had other ideas, and an 8-0 run put the game right back in reach for NJCU. The Knights continued to ride their defensive energy and hustle on the glass to stay right there with the Lions.
The story in the fourth was much the same, as every time TCNJ pushed their lead out towards double-digits, Marajiah or Miesha Bacon (Neptune, NJ/Neptune) was there with an answer to pull the Knights back within striking distance. Of course, the Lions had answers of their own every time NJCU got close, never letting NJCU retake the lead, despite the margin being five or less on seven occasions in the final quarter
The closest things got at the very end was a potential and-one from Marajiah Bacon (Neptune, NJ/Neptune) that would have pulled the Knights to within four, followed by what appeared to be a loose-ball tie-up which was given as a timeout to TCNJ before the whistle blew. As is, the Knights couldn't get the Lion lead down to one possession any time in the final 7:15.
For the Lions, D3Hoops.com Preseason All-American Jen Byrne (Medford, N.J.) led the way with 19 points and nine rebounds, while reigning NJAC Rookie of the Year Shannon Devitt (Westfield, N.J.) tallied a double-double, with 14 points and 10 rebounds, to go along with three blocked shots. The Lions had four players in double figures.
NOTABLES:
- Series: 63rd meeting. TCNJ leads the all-time series, 60-3 and have won the last 20 meetings.
- Miesha Bacon (Neptune, NJ/Neptune) set her career-high for the second straight game, totaling 25 points just two nights after a career-high 23. She has now scored in double figures 17 times in her career (13 at Kean, four at NJCU). She also set a career-high for rebounds in the second straight game, with her 15 Wednesday topping her 14 from Monday. Her previous career highs before this week were 15 points and eight rebounds.
- Marajiah Bacon (Neptune, NJ/Neptune) is now averaging 22.9 points per game. She leads the NJAC in points per game and ranks in the top 10 in the country.
- Marajiah Bacon (Neptune, NJ/Neptune) moved into sixth place on the NJAC all-time scoring list, passing former Rowan great Jenn Denby (1994-98; 1,806 points). She is now just 30 points away from cracking the all-time top five and within striking distance (184) of reaching 2,000 career points.
- Marajiah Bacon (Neptune, NJ/Neptune) has now scored in double figures 77 times in 78 career games between Kean (2015-18, 67 times in 68 games) and NJCU (10 times in 10 games). Other career totals for Bacon:
- 20-Point Games: 52 (44 at Kean, eight at NJCU)
- 25-Point Games: 33 (30 at Kean, three at NJCU
- 30-Point Games: 17 (16 at Kean, one at NJCU)
- 40-Point Games: 4 (all at Kean; career high, 44)
UP NEXT:
- The Knights play their final game before the holiday break, hosting Drew University (6-2) on Monday, December 17 at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (Coach Charlie Brown Court). Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
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