NEWARK, N.J. (1/25/17) – The Kean University women's basketball team trailed by as many as 11 points but outscored Rutgers-Newark 23-15 in the fourth quarter to earn the 77-71 NJAC road win on Wednesday evening. De'Mean Bond posted a double-double that included 23 rebounds and Kenya Adams scored 22 points while shooting 10-16 from the floor.
Rutgers-Newark led by as many as 11 (23-12) in the opening quarter, but the Cougars went on an 8-0 run capped by a first quarter buzzer-beater from Payce Lange (pictured left) to chop the lead down to three by the end of the first period.
Kean started the second quarter with four-straight points to come all the way back and swipe the lead from the Scarlet Raiders. After scoring 23 points in the game's first 7:42, Rutgers was held scoreless for five-straight minutes of gametime. There would eventually be four ties and four lead changes in the first half as the teams traded blows.
Adams had 10 points in the first half, while Bond pulled down 11 rebounds in the first 20 minutes to lead all players in that column. Still, back-to-back fast-break layups by Faith Ashby late in the first half gave the Raiders a 40-37 lead at the break.
In the third quarter, Jaquetta Owens assisted on three different Adams layups, but the Cougars were still trailing entering the fourth quarter.
Adams sealed the win with a huge offensive rebound following a missed free throw with Kean up by only two with 13 seconds to go. She sank her two free throws to make it a two-possession game and ice the game for Kean.
The Cougars made 20 free throws in the game and wore down the Scarlet Raiders in the end; the final margin of six was the largest lead of the game for Kean. RU was also hampered by a technical foul and flagrant foul call against the home team.
Marajiah Bacon led all players with 24 points for Kean. She and Bond led the team with three steals each, and six different players swatted shots for the Cougars. Bond pulled down as many rebounds as the rest of her teammates combined. Owens dished out eight assists.
Ashby missed a triple-double by two rebounds. She had 15 points, 10 assists and eight boards.
Rutgers-Newark fell to 6-13 and 4-8 in the NJAC. The Cougars improved to 12-6 and 9-2 in the league.
Kean will return home to host Ramapo College in NJAC action on Saturday.
