NEW YORK, N.Y. (1/3/16) – The Kean University women's basketball team overcame a 15-point second half deficit to defeat Bridgewater State 99-84 on Sunday. Freshman Marajiah Bacon tied Kean's single-game scoring record and set a new NYU Holiday Classic all-time mark with 44 points in the game.
In addition to Bacon's 44, Tori Schweyher drained seven three-pointers in the game for 23 points and Jaquetta Owens earned a double-double with 20 points and 10 assists.
With the score tied at seven early on, Owens drained a three-pointer from NBA range to put the Cougars in front. But Bridgewater State, which came into the game 2-7, was punching above its weight and scored 42 in the first-half to take a 10-point lead into the locker rom.
Marajiah Bacon continued her hot shooting with 15 points in the first half, but the Cougars were shooting less than 30 percent as a team, while the Bears were at 47 percent.
Bridgewater increased its lead to 15 points with 5:18 left in the third quarter, but Schweyer hit two three's and Kean stole the ball three times to get layups in transition. Incredibly, Kean stormed back from down 15 to tie the score in three minutes.
Schweyher (pictured left) hit a three for the lead late in the third and the Cougars never gave it back. Kean shot 64 percent in the second half, slicing up the Bears with 22 points off turnovers, 20 second-chance points and 16 on fast breaks.
The Cougars scored an incredible 36 points in the third quarter – Marajiah Bacon had 16 points in the third period alone. Kean extended its lead with a 31-point fourth period to earn the 15-point victory over the Bears.
Ruby Asabor had 15 rebounds and four blocks in the game, while Owens and Diana Todaro finished with three steals each. Bacon was two assists and two rebounds shy of a triple-double. Bacon was named to the All-Tournament Team for her heroics.
Bridgewater was paced by Chanelle Melton, who scored 21 for the Bears.
The Cougars are now 9-3 on the year, and Sunday marked the final non-conference game of the year. Kean will return to NJAC play on Wednesday against William Paterson University at Harwood Arena with tipoff set for 6 p.m.
