UNION, N.J. (11/18/16) – Senior guard Jaquetta Owens netted a game-high 26 points to become the 19th member of the Kean University women's basketball 1,000-point club as the Cougars defeated Alma College 76-59 on Friday. It was the opening round of the Kean Classic at Harwood Arena and the program's first home game of the season.

Owens came into the contest needing 25 points for 1,000, so she needed every bucket. Still, the Harwood Arena crowd was prepared and ready to celebrate her achievement when she made a transition layup while being fouled with 6:28 remaining in the game.

Click here to see highlights from Friday's win!

The Cougars raced out to a 20-12 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. Kean made three three's in the first 10 minutes and Owens had two of them. Kean added to its lead in the second and led 43-26 at the break. Miesha Bacon (pictured left) also had a productive first half, going 2-3 from behind the arc and netting 11 points with six rebounds in the first 20.

The Kean defense held Alma to a .228 shooting percentage in the game, as both teams scored exactly 33 points in the second half. Kean never led by less than 11 after halftime.

Owens led the team with 26, and Marajiah Bacon added another 20.

Ruby Asabor racked up five blocks on the defensive end for Kean, while she, Owens and Danielle Oakley all had multiple steals in the game as well. 

Payce Lange scored her first collegiate points in the game for the Cougars. Kaitlyn Kendall led the Scots with 15 points.

The Cougars will host the second game of the Kean Classic on Saturday. The team will take on Lehman College – who defeated Ferrum College earlier on Friday afternoon – in the Championship Game of the Tournament at 2 p.m.