Union, N.J. (2/22/20) – New Jersey City University shocked the Kean University women's basketball team by edging the Cougars, 59-58 in the opening round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament on Saturday evening.

The #6 Gothic Knights (13-13) only held three leads in the contest, their largest lead just two points.  It turns out all they needed was the crucial one point as Ayanna Lewis hit back-to-back free throws with 1:17 to go to turn a one point deficit into a one point lead.  That would be the final as neither team was able to convert as the Cougars (17-9) turned the ball over on three separate occasions and NJCU missed three scoring opportunities down the stretch.

After a nip-and-tuck first quarter, the Cougars used a short burst to turn a four point lead into a double-digit advantage (15 points).  Graduate student Cindy Foresta scored five points in the run, including a trey in the final seconds of the quarter. 

NJCU chipped away in the third stanza and came within two points on three occasions but were not able to tie things up.

Kean's last points of the contest came with 2:12 to go on a jumper from senior Payce Lange to put the Cougars on top, 58-54.  Hannah Johnson, who finished with eight points on the day, hit a big three 11 seconds later to close the gap to just one setting up the final two minutes of action.  Kean used just about every second of the next possession, but weren't able to come up with a clean shot.  Lewis was then fouled 13 seconds later for what would be the final.

Dayjah Anderson led all players with a double-double 18 points and 10 rebounds while Aaliyah McCrae added 13 points with three treys.

For Kean, Foresta finished with a double-double 17 points and 10 rebounds and teammate Lange registered 16 points and seven rebounds.  McCoy rounded out the double-digit scoring with 15 on the night.

NJCU will travel to #2 Montclair State University on Tuesday evening in the semifinals.