MADISON, N.J. (November 17, 2018) – The Rutgers University-Newark women's basketball team opened its trip to the FDU-Florham Tournament with a hard fought 77-73 overtime victory over Purchase College tonight. The Scarlet Raiders improve to 2-0 while the Panthers fall to 0-2.

Rutgers-Newark was led by a huge night from rookie Elisha India Cross who poured in 26 points on 8-for-15 shooting from the field including a fantastic 6-of-12 performance from beyond the arc and a perfect 4-for-4 night at the free throw line. Cross also chipped in seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Senior Faith Ashby added 14 points, a game-high eight dimes, and eight rebounds. Junior Hannah Ashby contributed 13 points while freshman Dorian Capurso recorded her second consecutive double-double with 12 points and a squad-best 10 boards.

The Scarlet Raiders return to action tomorrow when they play hosts FDU-Florham at 1 p.m.

This contest was close nearly the entire night. The Raiders built one double-digit advantage at 21-10 early in the second quarter but Purchase quickly erased that lead with three straight trifectas as neither team would have a double-figure edge again.

Newark entered the fourth period with a slim one-point lead however the Panthers hit a 3-pointer to open the scoring for the quarter, jumpstarting a quarter that featured six lead changes and four ties.

Purchase nearly won the game as Shadai Plowden knocked down a pair of clutch freebies with just 10 seconds remaining to make it 66-63. Still, Hannah Ashby responded, draining a huge triple off a feed from Capurso as time expired in regulation to send the teams to overtime.

In the extra period there were two early lead changes and one tie but the Scarlet Raiders built a four-point edge behind a lay-in by Hannah Ashby and free throws from Cross and Capurso.

The Panthers pulled back within two twice more but their efforts fell short as Hannah Ashby sealed the win with a pair of shots from the charity stripe with just one second remaining.