Box Score

NEWARK, N.J. – Senior forward Jade Howard poured in 17 of her game-high 21 points in the second half as Rutgers University-Newark pulled away from New Jersey City University for a 52-38 New Jersey Athletic Conference win in The Golden Dome Arena.
 
Howard, who was honored before the game for netting her 1,000^th career point in December, hit six of 12 shots from the floor and five of six free throws during the second half as the Scarlet Raiders (10-7, NJAC 6-4) stretched a shaky 2-point halftime edge to a 44-27 bulge on a Howard layup with 8:14 remaining.
 
Senior center Sharee Gordon notched her third double-double of the season with a game-high 14 rebounds and 10 points while adding three blocked shots and three assists.  Sophomore guard Maria Simmons came up a rebound short of her third double-double of the year, finishing with 10 points and nine rebounds while adding game highs of four steals and six assists.
 
Guards Arianna Williams and Nicole Skelly combined for 14 rebounds to help Rutgers-Newark gain a slim 51-46 edge in rebounding.
 
Sophomore forward Bria Smith, the Gothic Knights' leader, was limited to nine points and 10 rebounds as the Raiders set season best defensive efforts for points allowed and opponent field goal percentage at 19.4% (14-72).
 
Junior forward Deseree Johnson hauled down a team-high 11 rebounds while adding seven points and three steals for NJCU (7-10, NJAC 1-9).  Junior guard Kiana Briggs tallied nine points, seven rebounds and a team-high five assists.
 
The win keeps the Raiders in a fourth-place tie with William Paterson (10-7, NJAC 6-4) in the 10-team league.
 
Rutgers-Newark visits Richard Stockton for an NJAC doubleheader on Saturday.  The women's game tips off at 1 p.m. with the men to follow at 3.