NEWARK, NJ - The Rutgers-Newark women's basketball team dominated FDU-Florham in its home opener to earn a 79-54 victory at The Golden Dome.
The Raiders outscored the Devils 23-16 in the first quarter after controlling the paint.
Rutgers-Newark (1-3) led FDU-Florham 40-24 at the half, as Quanajah Felder drained a long jumper with time expiring to get the home crowd off their feet. It was an explosive quarter as the Raiders outscored the Devils 17-8 in the second quarter.
Coming out of the break, Tracey Ilderis recorded a layup and a pair of free throws to kick off the second half for the Raiders. The Devils broke up the run with a made 3-pointer and a free throw, but it was just a sprinkle of offense.
Rutgers-Newark took a 54-34 lead forcing FDU-Florham to call a timeout with 2:32 remaining in the third quarter. It was a dominant quarter by Aaliyah Sanchez and Zoe Francis-Buckley, both netting six points in the quarter to aid in the Raiders' 60-40 score through three quarters.
The Raiders continued their offensive pressure, never trailing in the game, as they closed out the night with a 25-point win. Rutgers-Newark held FDU-Florham to 28 percent shooting from the floor and 58.8 from the free throw line. The Raiders shot 49.2 percent from the floor, 73.9 from the charity stripe and out-rebounded the Devils, 49-42.
Rutgers-Newark (1-3) had four players finish in double figures. Zoe Francis-Bunkley led the way with 15 points on 6-for-13 shooting. She added 10 points to complete the double-double, along with eight assists and two steals. Ilderis also notched a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, plus three steals. Arlenny Medina scored 11 points and Felder tallied 10 points to round out double figure scorers.
Shannon Tighe was the top scorer for FDU-Florham (1-3), finishing with 12 points, seven rebounds, and five steals. Christina Centeno added 11 points on 50 percent shooting.
The Raiders return to the court on Sunday, Nov. 17 when it hosts Cairn in its final game of the John K. Adams Tip-Off Classic.
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