POMONA, N.J. (January 3, 2018) – The Rutgers University-Newark women's basketball team hung tough for three quarters before falling at Stockton University tonight in New Jersey Athletic Conference play, 72-54. The Scarlet Raiders move to 6-7 (1-5 NJAC) while the Ospreys improve to 7-5 (3-3 NJAC).

Rutgers-Newark was led by junior Faith Ashby who scored a game-best 18 points while grabbing six rebounds and notching three steals. Senior Nicole Skelly joined her in double-figures with 17 points and a team-high eight boards. Sophomore Ania Harrell rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points off the pine. Harrell also pulled down a team-best nine caroms while classmate Comfort Akinbo swatted a game-high six shots.

In the opening quarter, the two teams went back-and-forth as the period featured six lead changes and five ties. The Scarlet Raiders were able to break a 10-10 deadlock and head into the second quarter with a lead as Faith Ashby scored lay-ins on consecutive possessions.

The visitors continued to expand its advantage, going on a 7-2 spurt to start the second led by two baskets from Harrell and a shot from beyond the arc by Skelly off a feed from Harrell that made it 21-12. Still, Stockton chipped away for the remainder of the half and trailed just 31-28 when the teams made their way to the locker rooms.

After the break, the tables began to turn as the Ospreys took their first lead since the opening quarter, 33-32. Still, the Scarlet Raiders stopped the bleeding as Hannah Ashby knocked down a jumper and Harrell added a lay-up to give the home side a slim 36-33 edge. Unfortunately, Stockton responded with the next eight points and held a 41-36 advantage going into the last 10 minutes of action.

In the fourth quarter, the home team began to pull away, opening the period with a 14-0 run to build an insurmountable lead.

Rutgers-Newark looks to rebound quickly when it continues its NJAC slate on Saturday with a matchup against William Paterson in The Golden Dome at 6 p.m.