MAHWAH, N.J. (January 16, 2019) – The Rutgers University-Newark women's basketball team led wire-to-wire but had to battle to the final whistle in a 57-50 win at New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) foe Ramapo College this evening. The Scarlet Raiders complete the season sweep of the Roadrunners and improve to 10-7 (7-3 NJAC) while Ramapo falls to 8-9 (3-7 NJAC).

Rutgers-Newark had a balanced attack that featured three double-figure scorers. Junior Hannah Ashby led the way with 16 points including four 3-pointers. She also shared team-high honors of four assists with senior Faith Ashby. Rookie Dorian Capurso had a great all-around contest with 15 points on 60.0% shooting from the field, nine rebounds, five steals, and two assists. Faith Ashby recorded a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds that included an incredible eight on the offensive glass.

The Raiders continue their NJAC slate on Saturday when they host TCNJ at 6 p.m. in The Golden Dome.

R-N and Hannah Ashby started hot as the junior guard connected on two trifectas to open up an early 6-0 lead for the visitors. The Scarlet Raiders would not trail once the entire night but the Roadrunners would not allow the game to get out of hand.

Faith Ashby hit from beyond the arc to make it 9-2 as Newark largely maintained that margin for the opening quarter before a late lay-in from Jenna Harsh made it 14-9 headed into the second.

In the second period, Ramapo cut its deficit to 16-14 however back-to-back treys from Hannah Ashby and freshman Elisa India Cross restored a more comfortable lead while a Capurso jumper had the visitors in front by double-digits.

Still, the hosts would stay within striking distance as R-N held a 28-20 advantage at the break.

Ramapo came storming back in the third. After Capurso started the second half scoring, the home team rattled off seven straight points to make it a one possession game.

Later in the period, after a big three-point play from Capurso and Faith Ashby lay-in made it 37-30, the Roadrunners refused to back down and ended the third with a 6-0 spurt to cut their deficit to just one.

Junior Comfort Akinbo got things started in the fourth with a pair of free throws but Ramapo responded immediately with an Alie Wickersham jumper to make it 39-38. However, with 9:00 on the clock, that would be as close as the hosts would get.

On the next possession, Capurso drained a shot from downtown as she sparked a 6-0 surge that would give the visitors some breathing room.

While a Samantha Rinaldi trifecta made it 47-43 with 2:16 to play, the Roadrunners were never able to make it a one possession game in the final minutes as the Raiders kept them at bay.

Hannah Ashby sealed the contest once and for all with 49 seconds remaining on a tough and-one basket that had her squad in front 53-44.

Free throws from Faith Ashby and Cross iced the game in the closing seconds, resulting in the final 57-50 margin.