UNION, N.J. — The Rutgers-Newark women's basketball team closed out the 2025–26 season grabbing an NJAC victory over, Kean University, 79–76.
The Scarlet Raiders set the tone early with suffocating defense, holding Kean to just 21 percent shooting in the first quarter to take a 26–20 lead after one. Rutgers-Newark dictated the tempo from the opening tip, turning stops into transition opportunities and controlling the pace on both ends of the floor.
As Kean began to piece its offense together in the second quarter, the Scarlet Raiders refused to let up. Rutgers-Newark carried a commanding 45–32 advantage into halftime, fueled by its senior leadership. Sanaa Brodie poured in 15 first-half points, while Quanajah Felder added 13, helping the Scarlet Raiders maintain firm control heading into the break.
A rough shooting stretch coming out of halftime allowed Kean to surge back into the contest. The Cougars exploded for 30 points in the third quarter to take a narrow 62–61 lead into the fourth, shifting momentum and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Rutgers-Newark responded immediately in the final period. Brodie came up with a steal and converted on the other end to reclaim the lead. Another basket from Brodie, along with key buckets from Felder and Jaielyn Alston, pushed the Scarlet Raiders' advantage to six. Kean answered with a 9–0 run to swing momentum back in its favor, but Rutgers-Newark showed poise under pressure.
Kayala Askew-Branch delivered two clutch baskets to tie the game at 76. In the closing seconds, Kean had a chance to take control, but after a missed layup, Nicole Timerio found Felder on the perimeter. Felder calmly buried a three-pointer at the buzzer, sealing the 79–76 victory and sending the Scarlet Raiders into celebration.
The seniors didn't just contribute, they took over the moment. Brodie closed out her Scarlet Raider career in unforgettable fashion, erupting for a career-high 30 points and grabbing 12 rebounds to secure the double-double. Felder finished with 20 points, shooting 50 percent from three-point range, including the game-winning shot. Alston dominated inside with a double-double of her own, tallying 10 points and 12 rebounds to anchor the effort in the paint.
Rutgers-Newark finishes the 2025–26 season with a 3–22 overall record and a 1–17 mark in NJAC play,
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