Union, N.J. (1/27/24) – The Kean University women's basketball team suffered their first loss of 2024 by falling to visiting New Jersey City University, 65-61 in NJAC action.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• It was a typical Kean/NJCU battle that featured 13 lead changes and five ties.
• The Cougars (13-7, 10-3 NJAC) held a slight one point advantage at the break, 32-31.
• The game turned in favor of the Gothic Knights (11-7, 9-4 NJAC) in the third period as they outscored Kean, 19-8, and push out to the game's first double-digit advantage.
• The Cougars battled back, and retook the lead off a fastbreak layup from Gigi Gamble with two and a half minutes to go. 
• A trey from Tahirah Kelley with 20 seconds to go, put NJCU up by four and all but sealed the victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Gamble and Riley Ahrens each had 18 points to lead the Cougars. 
• Shahd Badeer picked up a double-double with 13 points and 18 rebounds.
• NJCU was led by Kelley with a game-high 21 points.  Kean held Damaras Rodriguez to 10 points.
• The Gothic Knights benefited from 22 second-chance points off 23 offensive rebounds.

UP NEXT:

• Kean heads to the road next week and will face The College of New Jersey on Wednesday.