NEWARK, NJ – Seniors Nerlande Nicolas and Toni Roselli combined for 19 of their 26 points in the second half to help Rutgers-Newark to a 70-59 win over New Jersey City in The Golden Dome which clinched a New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship Tournament berth for the Scarlet Raiders.
NCAA Box Score
Nicolas and Roselli, who had 13 points apiece , netted nine and 10 points, respectively, following the break as the Scarlet Raiders (18-5, NJAC 7-4) pushed their lead to as many as 18 points. Rutgers-Newark locked up its unprecedented fourth straight conference tournament berth. The Gothic Knights are now 8-15 overall and 3-8 in the NJAC.
The Rutgers-Newark win coupled with Montclair State's 68-56 loss at William Paterson tonight boosts the Raiders into second play in the NJAC North Division with two games remaining.
RAIDER VISION HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Senior forward Sabrina Sanchez had 10 of her 12 points in the opening half as the Raiders battled for a slim 33-30 margin. Rutgers-Newark ran off the first six points of the game and constructed a 13-point lead, but New Jersey City came back with a vengeance. Senior forward Vanessa Vargas Espinoza, who netted 15 of her 16 points in the first half, scored the final 10-points in a 13-0 Gothic Knight run which evened the score at 27-27 with 3:05 left.
Senior forward Eni Fageyinbo hit four of five shots from the floor to finish with 10 points for the Raiders while junior guard Youngor Kehleay notched nine points and three assists. Nicolas added three assists while Roselli knocked down four of nine 3-point jumpers. Roselli also chipped in three steals and two assists.
Sophomore guard Tania Greenleaf poured in a game-high 18 points for NJCU and added three steals. Espinoza hauled down a seven rebounds and dished off three assists. Junior forward Alaia Robinson and freshman guard Angela Fitzgerald tied for game-high honors with 10 rebounds apiece. Robinson came off the bench to add eight points while Fitzgerald scored six points and handed out four assists.
Rutgers-Newark visits Ramapo on Saturday afternoon while New Jersey City hosts William Paterson Saturday evening in a pair of NJAC doubleheaders. The Raider women tip off against the Roadrunners at 1 p.m. while the Gothic Knights begin against the North Division-leading Pioneers at 6 p.m. on Senior Night.
