Ewing, NJ:  The Ramapo College women's basketball team dropped a tough road game today to the Lions of The College of New Jersey, 71-51.  With the loss the Roadrunners fall to 9-13 overall and 3-12 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference.  The Lions improve to 15-7 overall and 12-3 in conference play.
 
Ramapo was led by Jenna Harsh who collected 21 points hitting 8-16 from the field including five three-point baskets.  Samantha Rinaldi netted eight points and Bridget Cahill added seven as the team shot a combined 21-60 (35%).  Harsh also led in rebounds with nine.
 
TCNJ would climb to a 5-2 advantage to start the game but a three from Harsh with 2:34 on the clock would tie the game at 5-5.  The Roadrunners would take the lead (8-5) with an and-one play from Abbegail Whildin, but a layup and a long three by the Lions put them back on top, 10-8.  Harsh nailed down a jumper at the buzzer to again tie (10-10) the game heading into the second.  A three from Harsh and one from TCNJ's Rachel Gazzola would open the second as the Lions began to pull away after a 16-16 tie at 5:43.  TCNJ would connect an 8-0 run capped with a layup from Shannon Devitt to take a 23 -16 lead with 4:07 to play.  Another long shot from Byrne and a layup from Devitt put the Lions with a double-digit advantage (28-18).  Ramapo would come within six with back-to-back buckets but still trailed at the halftime buzzer, 22-30.  The Roadrunners shot 9-30 (30%) while TCNJ hit 11-30 (37%). Ramapo was led by Harsh with eight points and Devitt led TCNJ with eight of her own.
 
Ramapo scored first to start the third but the Lions didn't hold back continuing to answer basket for basket working to a 38-26 lead with 6:04 on the clock and a layup from Byrne.  Harsh sank a three to come within nine (29-38) and after a two-point goal from Byrne, Harsh drained another long shot to come within eight (32-40).  With TCNJ leading 46-36, Harsh struck again at 1:35 with her fifth three-pointer of the game but the quarter would end with the Lions on top by ten, 49-39.  TCNJ would continue to gain insurance on Ramapo as they opened the final quarter with a three from Byrne.  Caleigh McAnuff got Ramapo within nine (46-57) at the 5:04 minute mark with a three, but a mini 5-0 run put the Lions on top 62-46 with 4:15 to play.  A 9-2 run by the Lions to finish the game would give them the conference win over Ramapo, 71-51.  Ramapo shot 12-30 (40%) and the Lions hit 14-36 (39%) in the half.  Harsh led Ramapo once again with 13 points.
 
Byrne finished the day with 19 points shooting 8-14 from the field including two three-point goals.  Devitt collected 17 points and 13 rebounds for the double-double.  Elle Cimilluca led the team with eight assists and four steals.  The Lions finished the day shooting a combined 25-66 (38%).
 
The Roadrunners return home on Wednesday, February 12^th when they host Rutgers Camden at 5:30pm at the Bradley Center.