NEW YORK – Sophomore guard Kristen Venning netted 15 of her career-high 25 points as Rutgers-Newark raced out to a 45-24 halftime lead over John Jay on its way to an 81-58 non-conference win in The Doghouse.

BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY

Venning hit a layup and a 3-point jumper to stake the Scarlet Raiders (12-2) to a 7-0 lead just 50 seconds into the game before the lead reached double digits with just inside three minutes gone on a rebound basket by senior forward Jaleesa Coleman.

Venning added seven points and Coleman, six, as Rutgers-Newark used a 17-4 spurt to take a commanding 45-23 lead with just four seconds left in the opening half. Bloodhound sophomore guard Allana Beddoe made just one of three free throws with less than a second left before intermission to set Rutgers-Newark's halftime lead at 21.

Venning hit six of nine shots from the floor in the opening half while adding six rebounds and three assists while Coleman notched 10 of her 12 points and hauled down seven rebounds. The Raiders shot a solid 44.4% (20-45) from the floor for the period, paced by freshman guard Jasmine Daniels who connected on three of four field goal tries while pulling down seven rebounds and making a pair of steals.

The Raiders forced 14 turnovers and allowed John Jay (3-9) to hit only 18.9% (7-37) of its field goals in the opening period.

For the game, Venning made 11 of 16 shots from the floor while adding seven rebounds, six assists and three steals while Daniels pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds while totaling eight points, four steals and two assists.

The Raiders also got nine points and four assists from junior guard Jared Tactuk as well as six points, four assists and two steals from freshman guard Courtney Woodard.

Senior guard Dominique Grice and freshman forward Jamecia Forsyth each posted double-doubles for the Bloodhounds. Grice made all eight of her free throws on her way to a game-high 22 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Forsyth pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds and added 10 points, three steals and two assists. John Jay also got 10 points from senior guard Jessica Lirio.

Rutgers-Newark hosts Ramapo College in a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader on Wednesday in The Golden Dome. The women tip off at 6 p.m. with the men to follow at 8 o'clock.