NEWARK, NJ – Rutgers-Newark erupted for 49 second-half points in a 72-36 win over York (NY) College in The Golden Dome to snap out of the offensive doldrums.
BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY
Every Scarlet Raider scored as Rutgers-Newark (8-1) awoke from three consecutive halves of 25% field goal accuracy by hitting 54.3% (19-35) of its second half shots against the Cardinals (4-6).
Senior forward
Jaleesa Coleman netted 11 of her game-high 17 points in the opening half as the Raiders scratched out a 26-17 lead despite shooting 25.6%.
The Raiders methodically pulled away in the second half with Coleman, freshman forward
Jasmine Daniels, freshman guard
Courtney Woodard and sophomore center
Emily Atunrase netting six points each in the balanced assault. All three of Atunrase's inside buckets were set up by passes by junior guard
Samantha Grippo who dished off four assists in just 10 minutes.
Daniels finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double while sophomore guard
Kristen Venning tallied 13 rebounds, six points and a game-high five assists. Junior guard
Jared Tactuk chipped in eight points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals. Freshman forward
Katerina Papaloukas came off the bench for eight rebounds and five points.
York was paced by senior forward Shayna Smith with a dozen points, eight rebounds and four steals while sophomore guard Joanna Josama hauled down a game-high 16 rebounds to go along with four points and three steals.
Cardinal sophomore guard Shadae Rice added seven points, four assists and five rebounds. Senior guard Elizabeth Padilla scored nine points.
The swarming Raider defense forced 29 Cardinal turnovers and limited to visitors to 28.8% (15-52) shooting from the floor.
Rutgers-Newark bounced back from a heart-breaking 57-54 loss to Hunter College on Wednesday in which they shot just 25% from the floor and 50% from the free throw line to see their 7-game victory streak to begin the season snapped.
The Scarlet Raiders host Briarcliffe College on Sunday at 1 p.m. in The Golden Dome in their final game before the semester break. Rutgers-Newark takes a break for fall final examinations and the holidays before travelling to Purchase College on December 29.
