Newark, N.J. (12/9/15) – Rookies Marajiah Bacon and Ruby Asabor tallied career-highs of 26 points and 19 rebounds, respectively, as the Kean University women's basketball team topped Rutgers-Newark by the final of 83-65.

The Cougars improve to 6-2 overall and 3-1 in New Jersey Athletic Conference action while the Scarlet Raiders fall to 4-5, 1-3 in the NJAC.

After trailing early the Cougars regained the lead for good to start the second quarter on a three ball from junior Jaquetta Owens.  Kean extended their lead to double-digits for the first time on a layup from sophomore Janté Bracewell with 2:06 to go before the break.  Rutgers-Newark didn't go quietly and used two treys to pull within four at the intermission (34-30).

Bacon registered 10 first half points while Asabor (pictured left) picked up seven rebounds.  Freshman Diana Todaro collected nine points and five rebounds.

The Cougars responded coming out of the break and pushed their advantage out to double-digits for good, leading by as many as 22.  Bracewell made the score 68-46 with just under eight minutes to go in the contest with a bucket in the paint. 

Todaro finished with 11 points and six rebounds while adding four assists while classmate Tori Schweyher provided 11 points of her own with five rebounds.  Owens ended the night with 11 points as well adding six assists. 

Kean continues NJAC play when they host New Jersey City University on Saturday at 3 p.m.