NEWARK, N.J. (December 28, 2016) – Despite 14 points, six steals, five rebounds and two assists from sophomore guard Faith Ashby in what was a superb all-around performance, the Rutgers University-Newark women's basketball team saw its three-game winning streak snapped by NCAA Division I foe and same-city rival New Jersey Institute of Technology Wednesday night at the Fleisher Athletic Center.
 
Rutgers-Newark was topped 83-52 by the heavily favored Highlanders, but the Scarlet Raiders put together a strong second half in the loss. Newark was able to play even basketball over the final 10 minutes of action, slicing into a steep halftime deficit in the process.
 
The Scarlet Raiders fall to 4-8 overall, while NJIT improves to 6-7. R-N will return to the hardwood January 4, 2017 against New Jersey Athletic Conference rival Stockton University in The Golden Dome. The Raiders will be looking to even their league mark at 3-3.
 
"We played a strong second half tonight," said Head Coach Ashley Cieplicki after the game. "This is the type of game that will help us next week and throughout the rest of the season as we get back into conference play."
 
NJIT built a 20-9 lead after the first quarter and a 41-17 edge after two, but the Scarlet Raiders fought through the final horn, playing 20-20 basketball in the fourth quarter and being outscored by just seven points in the second half.
 
The Scarlet Raiders shot 30 percent from the field, 25.8 percent from three and 8-for-15 at the line, totaling 26 rebounds and 12 steals. Other than Ashby's six thefts, senior guard Maria Simmons and junior forward Nikki Sammartino each picked up a pair of steals.
 
Freshman forward Autumn Webster had nine points and two boards, while Simmons pocketed seven points, five assists and five rebounds. Freshman forward Louise Ann Borja had seven points, two rebounds and two assists, and Sammartino had five points, four rebounds and two steals. Freshman guard Hannah Ashby had six points and junior forward Nicole Skelly had three points and three rebounds.
 
NJIT shot 57.7 percent from the floor, 35.7 percent from distance and 18-for-26 from the line, finishing plus-16 (42-26) on the glass and totaling nine steals and 21 assists. Four highlanders scored in double figures led by 22 points and seven rebounds from forward Leah Horton.
 
NJIT opened the game with a 14-3 run, but the Scarlet Raiders never backed down. Newark tallied the first five points of the second half thanks to a bucket from Simmons and a triple from Webster. The two teams would go basket for basket for much of the remainder of the game with a pair of Sammartino foul shots serving as the game's final points.
 
"I think we are good position for the rest of the year," said Cieplicki. "We have a lot of work to do, but if we keep getting better each and every day I think we have a strong chance at a playoff spot come late-February."
 
The Scarlet Raiders tallied 22 points off 19 NJIT turnovers, getting 16 points off the bench and 10 via the fastbreak.
 
Fans unable to make it to The Golden Dome on January 4 vs Stockton can tune in live via links at www.rutgersnewarkathletics.com.