Schedule | Roster

NEWARK, N.J. (November 9, 2017) – The Rutgers University-Newark women's basketball team will begin its 2017-18 season on November 15 at FDU-Florham, but prior to that, the Scarlet Raiders will visit Fairleigh Dickinson University in an exhibition for the DIII Raiders but the season-opener for the Division I Knights.
 
Friday will mark the second-straight year Rutgers-Newark will go up against a Division I opponent after taking on the Highlanders of NJIT in December of 2016.
 
The Scarlet Raiders are coming off a run to the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) title game in 2016-17, becoming the first-ever No. 6 seed to reach the final in league history. R-N will be looking to once again reach the conference tournament in 2017-18.
 
"Last year we were able to peak at the right time and get a taste of some big-time postseason basketball," said Head Coach Ashley Cieplicki. "We need to work hard each practice and each time out and keep getting better. If we do that, I think we can do some exciting things come late-February."
 
A pair of senior forwards will be leading the Scarlet Raiders in Nicole Skelly and Nikki Sammartino. Both have been staples on the court for R-N throughout their time in the Brick City and both are excellent leaders.
 
Skelly took to the hardwood 26 times last year, playing nearly 24 minutes per game. She averaged 3.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game and is never afraid to battle underneath. The Belleville native serves as a coach on and off the court for the R-N coaching staff and will look to get her outside shot going. Skelly has appeared in 66 games during her collegiate career, scoring 276 points and grabbing 263 rebounds.
 
Sammartino is also never shy about mixing it up underneath and is one of the team's toughest work horses. Sammartino played more than 20 minutes per game last year, making 26 starts and grabbing four boards per game. She was second on the team in blocked shots and over the last two years, the North Arlington native has appeared in 53 games, totaling 245 rebounds (4.6 per game), 165 points and 35 steals.
 
Junior guard Faith Ashby is back after an All-NJAC season as a sophomore. Ashby averaged 16.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in her first season in Newark, pouring in 451 total tallies. She was tops in the NJAC with 89 steals, and she averaged a highly-impressive 37 minutes per outing. She ended her sophomore season fifth nationally in minutes played and 22nd in steals.
 
Junior guard Chelsea Scott should also figure into the rotation, bringing great energy on the defensive end each practice and game. Scott – the New Jersey Athletic Conference SAAC President – is an incredibly hard worker, and like Skelly, is a leader both on and off the court. Scott has appeared in 35 games in her two years in the Brick City.
 
Sophomore guards Hannah Ashby and Louise Ann Borja are expected to be impact players for the Scarlet Raiders this year after solid rookie campaigns. Ashby saw the floor in 28-of-28 matchups, playing a shade over 20 minutes per game, averaging nearly five points and two rebounds. She has improved her handle and should see increased numbers across the board. Borja played in every game as a rookie as well, averaging 3.0 points and 1.5 rebounds. An athletic player with marvelous energy, Borja has demonstrated better smarts and feel throughout the preseason. Both Borja and Ashby will stretch the floor for Newark, and the duo's length, speed and athleticism will be important factors on the defensive end.
 
Sophomore guard/forward Autumn Webster is also back after making 22 starts as a rookie. A shooter, Webster has improved her game – both inside and out – and will almost certainly see increases to her averages of 5.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Webster – and the entire sophomore class as a whole – has looked solid so far and will be a key to the team's success.
 
Another sophomore back for 2017-18 is guard Genesis Bayron. Bayron saw limited action last year, and her hard work has been evident this fall. She will provide depth at the guard spots and has the ability to effect the game with her shooting range.
 
Senior Tia Taylor returns to the Scarlet Raiders after a year away from the program. Taylor is another excellent shooter, and has been solid in 23 appearances in her career. The veteran will work for minutes early as she looks to carve out a role.
 
Three sophomores will be playing as Scarlet Raiders for the first time in forward/center Comfort Akinbo, forward Barbara Hairs-Jackson and guard Ania Harrell. Akinbo – who also plays women's volleyball at Rutgers-Newark – is a force underneath. An athletic rim protector with great leaping ability, she should see minutes from the jump along the R-N front line. Hairs-Jackson is strong in the post and a nice addition to the program. She brings toughness inside and has solid footwork on both ends. Harrell is very talented player that can get to the hoop. She will provide depth early on and has the ability to grow into a key piece for Rutgers-Newark as the season grows.
 
Rounding out the roster is freshman guard/forward Kiyanda Williams. Williams is adjusting to the college game and has been working hard throughout camp. A solid rebounder, the Plainfield native will give Coach Cieplicki another option up front.
 
"We have been working hard preparing for our opener on the 15th," said Cieplicki. "Friday will be a great experience for our team, getting the chance to play in a Division I environment against some really good competition. It will give our entire program – coaches and players – the chance to see what is working and what is not, and then make adjustments for Wednesday.
 
After the team's official season-opener at FDU-Florham, the Scarlet Raiders will host the annual John K. Adams Tip-Off Classic in The Golden Dome November 17 and 18. The tournament will kick off a five-game home stand that will include the NJAC opener against New Jersey City University and a home league game against Kean University.
 
Rutgers-Newark will be in action at home 15 times this year so it will be important for the Scarlet Raiders to play well in The Dome.
 
"We need to play well and win at home," said Cieplicki. "If we can start off strong on our home court, we can build some momentum as we get into our key league games down the stretch."
 
Despite losing three-time all-conference guard Maria Simmons to graduation, the bar is high for the 2017-18 Scarlet Raiders.
 
"Maria was a special player for us the last few years, but I think we can have a higher ceiling this year," said Cieplicki. "If we execute, our offense is going to give more touches to more players, and we are going to be exciting to watch and tough to defend. I also think we are more athletic and deeper top-to-bottom which will be important as we grind through the NJAC season."
 
Fans should follow @RN_WBB and @ScarletRaiders on both twitter and Instagram for the latest all season long.