Mahwah, NJ: The Ramapo College women's basketball team played host to NJAC rival Rutgers Newark tonight at the Bradley Center in Mahwah. The Roadrunners fell, 40-52 falling to 4-9 overall and 0-3 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference while the Scarlet Raiders improve to 9-4 overall, and remain undefeated in the conference at 3-0.

It took the Roadrunners five minutes to get on the scoreboard after Rutgers Newark opened on a 7-0 run. Kelly Bartz (Madison, NJ) hit two free throws after being fouled with 15:10 to go posting the first two Ramapo points, 2-7. The Scarlet Raiders continued to dominate spreading their lead to as many as 18 in the first 20 minutes. Their biggest lead came at the intermission with a 31-13 edge over the Roadrunners. Rutgers Newark hit 12-33 (60%) in the first half, well over the Roadrunners 3-19 (16%).

The Scarlet Raiders were led by Eni Fageyinbo (Morris Plains, NJ) with eight points sinking 4-7 while Sabrina Sanchez (Keasbey, NJ), Stephaine Ross (Nutley, NJ), and Olabimpe Fageyinbo (Morris Plains, NJ) each contributed six points in the half. Bartz posted eight first half points of her own in the first 20 minutes while rookie Stephanie Cannizzaro (Pequannock Twp., NJ) and Natalie Zacharias (Howell, NJ) netted three and two points respectively rounding out the Roadrunners 13 first half points. Natasha Gross (Glen Rock, NJ) grabbed a team high five steals.

In the final 20 minutes, Ramapo fought to come within nine but was unable to capitalize falling behind by as many as 20. The Scarlet Raiders hit 9-24 (36%) and in the half while Ramapo went 10-31 (32%). On the night, Rutgers Newark forced 30 Ramapo turnovers while the Roadrunners forced 30 Scarlet Raider turnovers as well. Sanchez finished on top for Rutgers Newark hitting 6-12 on the night including three three-pointers for a game total 17 points. Sanchez also grabbed five boards and one steal in the win while E. Fageyinbo was the only other Raider to hit double digit points sinking 12 of her own. Bartz was the lone Roadrunner in double digits sinking 18 points with two boards and two steals and Gross grabbed nine steals with seven points and five rebounds.

Ramapo returns to action on Saturday, January 13 when they face the Pioneers of William Paterson University at 1:00 PM in Wayne while Rutgers Newark travels to Lehman on Saturday for a 2:00 PM tip-off.