NEW YORK, N.Y. (1/2/16) – The Kean University women's basketball team staged a furious comeback against undefeated No. 5 New York University on Saturday and chopped the Violet lead from 22 all the way to one with 16 seconds left. The Cougars ended the game on a 22-6 run, but NYU made its free throws to escape with a 73-68 victory.

With 8:48 to go in the game and Kean trailing by 21, Jaquetta Owens hit back-to-back three-pointers. Marajiah Bacon hit a jumper and Tori Schweyher knocked down a pair of threes as well. Schweyher's last one cut the NYU lead to five with 3:33 remaining.

On the next possession, Ruby Asabor hit a jump shot to make it a one-possesion game. Then Bacon got her 26th point that got Kean within one. It was all part of an incredible 22-2 run by the Cougars. The Kean defense held NYU to only two field goals in the fourth quarter.

The fourth-ranked Violets did just enough to keep the Cougars at bay in the last minute. Amy Harioka hit four free throws down the stretch to provide the final cushion, and Liv Linebarger pulled down a huge offensive rebound in the waning seconds. Kaitlyn Read led the Violets with a double-double: 16 points and 13 rebounds.

The game featured nine lead changes and two ties. Early on things also went the Cougars' way; Kean was up 10-5 to start, led 19-17 after one quarter and stayed in front until 6:07 remained in the second period.

Asabor (pictured left) had an impressive game for the Cougars. Though she was officially credited with only two blocks, the freshman must have had a piece of at least eight shots in the game while tasked with guarding NYU All-American Megan Dawe. She also pulled down nine rebounds and had nine points.

Freshman Marjiah Bacon played all 40 minutes and had a game-best 26 points on 11-for-22 shooting. Owens dished out six assits and had 15 points. Freshman Diana Todaro led Kean with 10 rebounds.

The Cougars will return to action at NYU on Sunday for a neutral-site matchup with Bridgewater State University at 7 p.m.