Glassboro, N.J. (2/22/25) – The Kean University women's basketball team used a strong fourth quarter to push past #4 Rowan University, 74-68, in the quarterfinal round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
It was a true back-and-forth affair with four ties and nine lead changes throughout.
It all came down to the final 10 minutes as Erika Mercedes tied the game at 50-all and gave the Cougars (13-13) the lead for good with back-to-back free throws, part of her perfect 9-for-9 from the charity stripe on the day, early in the fourth frame.
A trey and bucket from Brittany Graff sandwiched around a layup from Mercedes pushed the Kean lead out to eight. But the Profs (17-9) rallied and tied things up again at 60-all with just under four minutes to go.
A 7-0 run by the Cougars gave them a cushion down the stretch to push into the semifinals.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
Mercedes led all players with 24 points while adding six rebounds and three steals.
Graff and Cara McCoy each finished with 18 points while combining for 11 rebounds.
Maddison Vaughn had nine points and eight rebounds.
UP NEXT:
#5 Kean travels to top seeded The College of New Jersey for semifinal action on Wednesday night.
