Mahwah, NJ: The Ramapo College women's basketball team played host to New Jersey City University today where the Roadrunners fell in a 64-68 loss to the Gothic Knights in overtime. The Roadrunners fall to an overall 8-7 record, 2-6 in the NJAC. NJCU improves to a 5-8 overall record, 3-5 in the NJAC. 
 
The Roadrunners and Gothic Knights came out hot, both showing an intense defense to start the first quarter, with steals from Stacey Porzl of Ramapo, and from three NJCU players. Buckets began dropping about halfway through the quarter, with the Roadrunners hitting some quick two-point goals from Samantha Rinaldi and Cherie Smedile, and the Gothic Knights snagging three 3-point goals, two from Alexandria Sams and one from Hannah Johnson, resulting in a 13-21 score, with NJCU leading the way. The Roadrunners entered the second quarter determined to close the eight-point gap, going on a mini 7-3 point run, bringing the Roadrunners within four points of their opponent. Ramapo hit the boards hard, racking up nine rebounds, three from Alie Wickersheim and two from Jenna Harsh. Janari Newsome came in clutch for the Gothic Knights, sinking two jumpers to keep NJCU ahead. The first half ended with the Roadrunners behind, but in reach, with a 23-27 score. 
 
In the first half, the Roadrunners were led by Abbegail Whildin, scoring seven points and going 5-6 at the free-throw line. Ramapo got their hands on 23 rebounds, led by Wickersheim contributing six of her own. The Roadrunners shot 23.1% (6-26) from the field, 14.3% (1-7) from the three-point line and 55.6% (10-18) from the free-throw line. 
 
The Gothic Knights were led by Sams and Dayjah Anderson, both totaling six points apiece on the court. NJCU grabbed 28 total rebounds, with Sarah Edmond leading the team with eight of her own. The Gothic Knights shot 27% (10-37) from the field, 21.4% (3-14) from the three-point line and 50% (4-8) from the free-throw line. 
 
Both teams ripped into the second half, with a layup from NJCU's Aaliyah McCrae and a pair of free-throw shots from Ramapo's Whildin. The Gothic Knights put four points on the board with shots made from Ayanna Lewis, but their energy was cut by a key layup from Harsh that ignited the crowd. The Roadrunners continued to fire shots at the basket with a jumper from Smedile. Key free-throws from Sarah Minchin continued to raise the momentum for the Roadrunners, breaking 31 points. Ramapo sinks back-to-back shots, with a three-point goal from Whildin and a layup right up the key from Rinaldi, making it a one-point game for the Roadrunners, 36-37. NJCU stayed afloat with a pair of free-throw buckets from Johnson. Ramapo's Rinaldi quickly answered with a pair of her own from the free-throw line. Entering the 4^th quarter, a fast break by Rinaldi leads to a free throw shot by Smedile to tie up the game, 44-44. A jumper by Smedile puts the Roadrunners up by two. A fiery few minutes of back and forth ends with a three-point goal shot by Sams to put NJCU back in the lead.  With 42 seconds remaining, Repasy sank a layup to push the Roadrunners up, 56-54. NJCU relentlessly fired back with Anderson ripping through the key and scoring, tying the game up with 1.5 seconds left on the clock.  
 
The Roadrunners were the first to sink a bucket in overtime with a layup made by Rinaldi. The Gothic Knights answered with a free-throw shot from Lewis, still trailing Ramapo. A cut straight up the middle and to the rim by Anderson, tied up the game, 60-60. NJCU sank a jumper from the paint by Lewis, to seal the fate of the Roadrunners.
 
The Roadrunners were led by three players who scored in double digits, 16 points from Smedile, 12 from Whildin and 11 from Rinaldi. The Ramapo defense was controlled by Wickersheim who grabbed 11 of the 56 total rebounds. Ramapo shot 30.2% (19-63) from the field, 23.1% (3-13) from the three-point line and 63.9% (23-36) from the free-throw line. 
 
The Gothic Knights also had three players score in the double digits, Anderson collecting 18, Lewis with 17 and Johnson with 10. The NJCU defense was strengthened by Edmond and Johnson, who had 14 and 11 rebounds, respectively. The Gothic Knights shot 26.7% (23-86) from the field, 16.7% (5-30) from the free-throw line and 60.7% (17-28) from the three-point line. 
 
The Roadrunners return to action on Saturday, January 18^th when they travel to William Paterson University for an NJAC conference game at 1pm.