Mahwah, NJ: The Ramapo College women's basketball team dropped a 71-54 decision in a New Jersey Athletic Conference match-up with the Lions of The College of New Jersey tonight at the Bradley Center. Ramapo falls to 4-5 on the season, 2-4 in the NJAC while TCNJ improves to 6-4 overall, 4-2 in the conference.

The Lions jumped all over the Roadrunners to start NJAC basketball in Mahwah tonight opening to a 13-0 lead after just under seven minutes of play. The Roadrunners finally got on the board with 11:23 left to play when senior LISA FISCHMAN (Bloomfield, NJ) hit a free throw after being fouled by TCNJ's Danica Miller (Rutherford, NJ). Rookie ERICA MACLIN (Teaneck, NJ) followed with a three-pointer for the Roadrunners closing the gap, 13-4 at the 10:31 minute mark. The final minutes of first half went much of the same way with the Lions outscoring the Roadrunners, 25-16 for a 38-20 halftime score.

Megan Hueter (Haddon Heights, NJ) led TCNJ in the half hitting 3-6 from the floor including two three-pointers for eight points while Erin Frank (Toms River, NJ) and Alexa Shields (Oakhurst, NJ) followed with seven and six points respectively. TCNJ shot 52% ahead of Ramapo's 24%.

In the last 20 minutes of play, Ramapo outscored the Lions, 34-33, but were unable to grab a lead falling, 71-54. The Roadrunners went on a mini-run with 5:41 left in the game which started with two good free throws by NATASHA GROSS (Glen Rock, NJ), followed by a GROSS block and a good three-pointer by MACLIN. GROSS wrapped up the run hitting two more free throws closing the gap, 46-63. Ramapo came within 15 but TCNJ stood strong wrapping up the night 17 ahead of Ramapo.

Hueter finished the night with 12 points and six rebounds while Frank followed netting 11 points of her own. Shields dished out a team high three assists and Sara Best (High Bridge, NJ) and Frank grabbed three steals each. For Ramapo, MACLIN finished on top with 14 points and GROSS and senior KELLY BARTZ (Madison, NJ) posted 13 and 11 points respectively. GROSS led the way in boards while BARTZ grabbed a team high three steals.

The Roadrunners return to action this Friday when they travel to FDU-Florham for a two day tournament commencing on the 6th at 5:00 PM. The Lions will travel to Salisbury on Monday, January 9th for a 6:00 PM tip-off.