BEYRUTI SETS RECORDS IN ROMP OVER RUTGERS-CAMDEN, 82-48

UNION, N.J. (1/24/07) - Sophomore Melissa Beyruti (Union City, N.J.) recorded a career high 33 points, including nine three-pointers, as the Kean University women's basketball team defeated visiting Rutgers-Camden, 82-48, Wednesday evening at Harwood Arena.

With her 27 point performance from behind the arc, Beyruti broke two Kean University women's basketball program records. Her name now appears in the record books for three-point field goals made in a game with nine. The previous was eight set by Janae Brumby in the 2003-2004 season. She also set the new standard for three-pointers in a season, breaking her own record set last season of 63. Beyruti currently has 70 this year.

Junior guard Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, N.J.) led the Scarlet Raptors (6-11, 1-6 NJAC) in tonight's loss with 18 points, eight rebounds and five steals.

The Cougars (17-1, 7-0 NJAC) notched the first basket and retained the lead for the entire contest. Rutgers-Camden kept things close, trailing by no more than 11 points during the first 20 minutes. Kean entered the locker room at halftime with a slim 28-20 lead.

Beyruti led the way for Kean with eight points while senior Chi Clark (Maplewood, N.J.) chipped in with five points and five rebounds. For the Scarlet Raptors, Hafiz recorded six points and seven rebounds while junior Carmen Oyola (Hammonton, N.J.) and sophomore Crystal Pezzano (Brockton, Mass.) each had five.

Kean extended their lead early in the second half on a 17-2 run during a three and a half minute span. Beyruti led the attack with a trey at 17:11 and contributed six points in the span. Junior Chari' Cooper (Paulsboro, N.J.) also recorded six points in the run.

The Cougars ended the game with their largest advantage of the contest as Beyruti registered her record breaking basket.

Kean outscored the Scarlet Raptors 54-28 in the final 20 minutes.

Cooper finished the night with a double-double 11 points and 12 rebounds while Clark recorded her own double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Kean will head to the road to take on North Division leading William Paterson University (17-2, 7-0 NJAC) on Saturday, January 27, beginning at 3 p.m.