BOSTON, MA – Senior guard Jaleesa Coleman netted 11 of her team-high 19 points in the second half as Rutgers-Newark held off Drew, 75-68, in the opening game of the UMass-Boston Tip Off Classic in the Clarke Athletic Center.

BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY

Host UMass-Boston downed St. Joseph's of Brooklyn, 65-38, to set up the 3 o'clock championship tilt. St. Joseph's and Drew will play a 1 p.m. consolation game.

Coleman was a perfect five for five from the floor in the second half, knocking down her only 3-point attempt of the game, while junior guard Jared Tactuk netted all 10 of her points as the Scarlet Raiders (2-0) held off several Ranger runs. Coleman also came up with three steals and two assists.

Sophomore guard Kristen Venning recorded her first career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds to go along with three assists. Junior forward Lori Nieves worked inside for 14 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Freshman guard Courtney Woodard came off the bench for eight points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals for Rutgers-Newark while rookie guard ShaQuanna Marshall chipped in seven points.

Drew guards Danielle Barber and Dana Coronato each drained four 3-point shots while tying for scoring honors with 23 points, but the Raiders dominated the rebounding, 42-29, and shot 50.8% (31-61) from the floor to thwart the Rangers.

A pair of free throws by Jessica Reid whittled the Raider lead to 65-63 with 2:05 remaining, but a Tactuk layup started a 7-0 Rutgers-Newark spurt capped by a pair of free throws by Marshall with 22 seconds left to put the Raiders in command at 72-63.

The game was tied at 34-34 at the half as Nieves exploded for a dozen points in just 14 minutes to buoy the Rutgers-Newark.