Wayne, N.J. (2/10/16) – Freshman Marajiah Bacon dropped 40 points as the Kean University women's basketball team topped William Paterson University by the final of 72-66 on Wednesday evening.

With the win the Cougars improve to 15-8 overall and 10-6 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, currently in sole possession of fourth place in the NJAC standings.  The top three spots are currently in a dead heat with Stockton, Rowan and Montclair State all recording 13-3 marks with two games left to play.

The Cougars jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead but then had to play catchup after the Pioneers (13-10, 9-7 NJAC) used an 11-2 run on their way to an 18-11 first quarter lead.  William Paterson pushed their advantage out to double-digits (27-16) with just over three minutes to go in the first half before the Cougars used a run of their own to shrink the deficit down to four before the break.  Rookie Ruby Asabor provided four points in the span.

At intermission, Ma. Bacon tallied 13 points while Asabor and senior Eden Obou collected five rebounds apiece.

Kean regained the lead with just over four minutes to go in the third quarter as junior Jaquetta Owens provided the bucket (37-36).  The game would see-saw back and forth before the Cougars claimed the lead for good with 8:23 to go in the fourth on a lay-in from Ma. Bacon.

In addition to her 40 points in 40 minutes, Ma. Bacon added six steals.  Asabor was one point shy of a double-double as she tallied nine points and 14 rebounds along with six blocks.  Freshman Diana Todaro registered 12 points, seven boards, and four steals in the win.

Kean stays on the road and will travel to Stockton University on Thursday for a 1 p.m. matchup.