JERSEY CITY, N.J. — After falling to Division I Delaware State University, 88-48, to round out its two-game stretch against Division I opponents to start off the season, the #RV (D3hoops.com) New Jersey City University women's basketball team opened up New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play against rival Montclair State University on Tuesday night, Nov. 22, at the John J. Moore Athletic and Fitness Center. The Gothic Knights won the game 66-48 in its home-opener behind some stellar play from several different players.
Jersey City (1-2, 1-0 NJAC) started the game off to a slowly offensively as the Red Hawks (2-3, 0-1 NJAC) went on an 11-3 run in the first five minutes. The Red Hawks, though, were unable to keep the Gothic Knights quiet for long, as senior guard Laney Fox (Parkland, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons) — she led NJCU with a team-high 21 points — made her second of seven field goals in the contest to end the run at 11-5. The Green and Gold only allowed five more points in the first and put together four more points late to trail the Red Hawks 16-9 at the end of the first.
The second quarter saw the Gothic Knights turn around the deficit and take control of the game. After back-to-back momentum-changing field goals made by Fox, Jersey City took its first lead of the game after junior forward Kyara Cowan (Maywood, N.J./Hackensack) converted a layup to make the score 22-21. Jersey City went on a 20-6 run overall in the second quarter and ended the half with a 29-22 lead.
The third quarter saw the most offense between both teams as they combined for 36 points. NJCU was on the positive side, producing 20 of the 36 to expand its lead to 11. Nine of Jersey City's 20 in the quarter came in the closing 1:05 as NJCU converted on three attempts from beyond the arc. Fox again made two three pointers, including one at the buzzer. The Green and Gold led 49-38 heading into the fourth.
The final quarter saw NJCU play a much stronger game defensively, outscoring the Red Hawks 17-10. Both freshman forward Jalynn Clark (Irvington, N.J./Elizabeth) and senior Guard Jada Camacho (Jersey City, N.J./Dickinson) stood out, combining for nine of the 17 points scored by the Gothic Knights. Camacho ended the game with an efficient 6-for-12 shooting night for 15 points, while Clark had an effective nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks to her credit. The game ended with a final score of 66-48 as NJCU came out victorious in its home opener.
Up Next:
Jersey City heads to Wayne, N.J., on Wednesday, Nov. 30, to play its second NJAC matchup on the road against William Patterson University. Tip off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. and will take place at the Sports and Recreation Center, with the men's game to follow.