FULL STORY: https://njcugothicknights.com/news/2020/1/11/202001-11_WBASKETBALL_womens-basketball-strong-start-sparks-njcuwbb-gothic-knights-take-down-stockton-on-the-road-69-57.aspx

GALLOWAY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | After getting off to a slow start on Wednesday night, the New Jersey City University women's basketball team bounced back, outscoring host Stockton University in the first quarter, 23-7, led 31-11 at halftime and knocked off the Ospreys, 69-57, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game on January 11 at the Stockton Sports Center.

The victory keeps NJCU alive early in the NJAC Tournament race, as the Gothic Knights improve to 2-5 in the league (4-8 overall). The Ospreys fall to 5-8 (1-6 NJAC). It was NJCU's first win at Stockton since a 69-66 win on February 6, 2014.

Junior point guard Alexandria Sams poured in a game-high 19 points (5-14 FG, 7-8 FT) with eight rebounds and four steals in a full 40 minutes of action to lead four Gothic Knights in double figures and junior wing Dayjah Anderson scored in double figures for the fifth time in her last six games, finishing with 13 points and nine rebounds. Senior guard Hannah Johnson produced 14 points in just 18 minutes of action, shooting 6-of-7 from the field.

"It was a great road win and a great confidence-boosting game," said second-year head coach Patrick Devaney, Sr.  "It was good to finally have [almost] everyone playing. They were confident as a team because we had Ayanna [Lewis] back and everyone else was healthy. To beat Stockton on the road sends a statement to the NJAC that we are fighting for that playoff spot."

The inside presence of Lewis, who missed NJCU's game with TCNJ on Wednesday with an injury, was important. The junior power forward grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds and had two blocks. Junior guard Mya Neal made her first start of the season count, finishing with a career-high 13 points—her first double-digit effort since the 2017-18 season.

NJCU jumped out to a 9-0 lead and never trailed. It worked the lead to 16-2 and ended the opening quarter shooting 10-of-22 (.455) while limiting the Ospreys to 2-of-9 shooting. 

Both teams struggled shooting in the second quarter. The Knights were just 4-of-19 (.211) but limited Stockton to just 1-of-10 shooting (.100), outscoring the hosts 9-4 in the period to build a comfortable halftime margin.

NJCU's largest lead was a 29-point, 46-17 differential with 5:02 left in the third quarter and it held a 22-point margin (47-25) after three periods. Stockton eventually found its offense in the fourth quarter, scoring more in the final 10 minutes (32 points, 12-of-22, 54.5 percent) than it had in the first three quarters, but by then the damage was done. NJCU shot 42.9 percent from the floor in the fourth (6-14) and 9-of-15 during frequent trips to the line, to seal the double-digit win.

NJCU forced 25 turnovers and collected 14 steals while manufacturing a decisive 29-9 margin in points off giveaways. It also held an 18-8 margin on the fast break.

"The girls knew the slow starts were killing us," noted Devaney of his squad's sluggish opening quarters of late. "I told them we have to be on attack and pressure the ball. I told them if you are in the game I expect you to score at least two points a quarter each player. I told them diamonds bust pipes and it also makes diamonds. Go out there and get those diamonds." 

Stockton's starters were largely ineffective with 42 of its points coming from the bench. Freshman guard Maddie McCracken (Wildwood, N.J.) led Stockton with 16 points while sophomore guard Hailee Porricelli (Howell, N.J.) and freshman forward Ionyonia Alves (Mays Landing, N.J.) scored 10 points apiece while combining for 13 rebounds.

NOTABLES:

• Series: 65th meeting, Stockton leads 51-15. NJCU has won two of the last three meetings. 
• Combined with the NJCU men's upset (78-70) of previous NJAC unbeaten Stockton, the Gothic Knights swept Stockton in Galloway on the same day for the first time since November 29, 1993—a 61-57 for the men and 66-59 victory for the women.

UP NEXT:

• NJCU heads to Mahwah, N.J. to face Ramapo College in NJAC action on Wednesday, January 15 at 5:30 p.m. at the Bill Bradley Center. RCNJ is 8-6 (2-5 NJAC).

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