4Union, N.J. (12/6/23) – The College of New Jersey used a strong fourth quarter to pull away from the Kean University women's basketball team in NJAC action on Wednesday night by the final of 67-54.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

It was a game of runs as the Cougars (4-5, 2-2 NJAC) quickly built a double-digit lead in the first quarter with a 12-0 run, turning a one-point deficit into an 11-point lead (18-7).

Just as quick, the Lions (4-5, 2-2 NJAC) turned things around and ended the quarter on a 12-0 run to regain the lead (22-20).

The teams traded buckets in the second quarter with TCNJ pulling ahead by seven (36-29) at the break behind back-to-back treys from Julia Setaro and Nina Branchizio. 

The Lions came out of intermission and built up a 15 point advantage on two occasions in the third quarter but that stopped with a run from the Cougars behind rookie Gissel Gamble.  Gamble provided 17 straight points for Kean to regain the lead late in the quarter. 

Tied at 50-all early in the final stanza, TCNJ mounted a 15-2 run to put the game out of reach. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

Gamble finished with a game-high 24 points along with three steals and two rebounds while shooting a perfect 11-for-11 from the charity stripe.

Rookie Riley Ahrens recorded 19 points and five rebounds.

For TCNJ, four players finished in double-figures with Setaro leading the team with 17 points and six rebounds.

UP NEXT:

Kean heads to New Jersey City University on Saturday for a 1 p.m. matchup.