Rutgers-Newark | Wheaton | Salem St. | Vassar

NEWARK, N.J. (December 28, 2015) - The Rutgers University-Newark women's basketball team will return to action 16 days after its last game when the Scarlet Raiders open play in the Salem State Holiday Classic in Massachusetts, squaring off against Wheaton College Tuesday at 2 p.m.

The Scarlet Raiders bring an overall record of 4-6 into the tournament, most recently suffering a New Jersey Athletic Conference loss at Stockton University back on December 12. R-N will look to snap a two-game skid overall, and a lot of that will rest on the shoulders of the Scarlet Raiders' trio of veteran guards in juniors Shala Glenn and Maria Simmons and senior Ariana Williams. That group is averaging 50 points per game and has dished out all but five of the team's 124 assists this season. Additionally, Head Coach Ashley Cieplicki will be looking for sophomore forward Nikki Sammartino, sophomore guard Nicole Skelly and senior forward Samantha Chirichello to continue developing into key contributors for the Raiders.

After the game against Wheaton on Tuesday afternoon, Rutgers-Newark will take on either the hosts or Vassar College Wednesday at 1 or 3 p.m.

The Salem State Vikings (3-6) enter the tournament having lost four straight, including a 69-37 setback to Endicott College in its last game. Salem features scoring leadersKaitlyn Bryan(12.0 points per game) andKia Fernandes(11.0 points per game), with Fernandes also pacing the team in rebounds at 8.4 per game and blocks with 24.

Wheaton (6-3) lost a 58-45 decision to Tufts after previously winning three straight. Top scorer Kiley Shoemaker, who reached 1,000 career points earlier this season, leads the Lyons in both scoring (17.1 points per game) and rebounds (9.6 rebounds per game). The senior recently recorded a new school-record 24 rebounds in a win over Newbury. Rebecca Arnone is second on Wheaton, pouring in 12.8 points per game.

Vassar (1-5) has lost four straight, including a 63-60 setback to New Paltz on December 8th.The Brewers will play Salem for the first time in their history in the opening round. Vassar is led by Caitlin Drakeley, who leads the team with 11.5 points per game, while shooting a team-best 41.2 percent (28-68) from the field. Rose Serafini is the top rebounder for the Brewers with 7.5 boards per game and has a team-best 24 blocks. Ariella Rosenthal is second on the team in scoring with an average of 11.2.

All games will have a live webcast which can be accessed via www.rutgersnewarkathletics.com.

The tournament schedule is as follows:

December 29 - Holiday Tournament Women's:
Game 1 - 2 p.m. - Rutgers-Newark vs. Wheaton
Game 2 - 4 p.m. - Vassar vs. Salem State

December 30 - Holiday Tournament Women's:
Game 3 - 1 p.m. - Consolation
Game 4 - 3 p.m. - Championship

The tournament - which takes place in Twohig Gymnasium - is sponsored by John J. Walsh Insurance and Salem Seaport Credit Union.