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NEWARK, N.J. (February 21, 2017) – The Rutgers University-Newark women's basketball team – seeded sixth in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament Championship – will travel to second-seeded Kean University for the conference semifinals Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in Harwood Arena.
The Scarlet Raiders earned a berth in the 'Final Four' of the league tournament by way of a 65-62 upset at third-seeded Stockton University, while the Cougars received a first-round bye thanks to a 13-5 NJAC record.
Rutgers-Newark Upsets Stockton; Raiders March into Semis
In R-N's Saturday win over the Ospreys, sophomore guard
Faith Ashby poured in 26 points on 11-of-19 shooting, adding four rebounds and three assists to her line. Senior guard
Maria Simmons dropped 21 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals as the Raiders advanced to the semis for the second time in their last two appearances in the league tournament (2014-15, 2016-17).
Rutgers-Newark and Kean met twice in the regular season with the Cougars winning both meetings. After suffering an 83-51 loss in Union back on November 30, R-N battled the Cougars to the wire on January 25, ultimately falling 77-71.
November 30 – Kean 83, Rutgers-Newark 51 – Union, N.J.
January 25 – Kean 77, Rutgers-Newark 71 – Newark, N.J.
Rutgers-Newark – making its 10th appearance in the NJAC Tournament since the 2004-05 – ended 2015-16 with a win in Harwood Arena where the Cougars are 9-4 this season.
Kean has been led by sophomore guard Marajiah Bacon who is averaging 22.5 points per game on 38 percent shooting. She also averages more than three rebounds and nearly two assists per game, while both senior guard Jaquetta Owens and freshman forward De'Mean Bond are both averaging double figures.
Simmons (18.3), Ashby (15.8) and senior guard
Shala Glenn (7.0) lead the Scarlet Raiders in scoring, with Simmons pacing the team in rebounds (7.5) and assists (5.8). Simmons and Ashby have combined for an incredible 163 steals which is more than six per game, with junior forward
Nicole Skelly, junior forward
Nikki Sammartino, Glenn and Ashby joining Simmons with averages of four rebounds per game or more.
The Scarlet Raiders have won 5-of-7 games dating back to a 62-53 triumph over Rutgers University-Camden back on January 28, and during that time R-N has forced 21.9 opponent turnovers per contest.
Head Coach Ashley Cieplicki's Keys to the Game
-As always, we need to do a good job on the glass. We need to limit their extra chances, while also creating opportunities for ourselves both on the offensive glass and in transition.
-It will be important for us to control the tempo and dictate the style of the game. We need to play our way.
-There are going to be waves in the game and we have to be able to ride them. Mental toughness is always a key, and it will be especially important Wednesday night.
-Defense, defense, defense. We have been playing solid defense lately, and we are going to need to make big-time stops in big-time moments Wednesday.
Rutgers-Newark and Kean will be playing for a berth in the NJAC title game which is slated to take place on Saturday, February 25 against the winner of fourth-seeded Rowan University and top-seeded Montclair State University.
Tickets to Wednesday's game are $5 for adults and $2 for children and fans unable to make the game can follow live stats and live video via rutgersnewarkathletics.com.
