Ramapo College of New Jersey Athletics

Mahwah, NJ:  The New Jersey City University women's basketball team earned a NJAC road win over Ramapo College tonight at the Bradley Center, 68-66. The Gothic Knights even their overall record at 10-10 while they move to 10-4 in the NJAC. The Roadrunners now stand at 14-7 overall and 8-6 in the conference.
 
DeMaris Rodriguez got NJCU on the board with a quick three-pointer to start the game as they opened up a 7-2 lead. Jada Thompson converted on an and-one play which started a 12-3 run. The run was capped off with a three-pointer and jumper from Bridget Cahill as Ramapo took a 14-10 lead. The two teams traded baskets before NJCU made a pair of free throws before Salma Eddahiri scored on a free throw line to give Ramapo a 17-14 lead heading into the second quarter. Cahill opened the second quarter with a three-pointer giving Ramapo a 20-14 lead before NJCU went on a 12-0 run to take an eight point lead, 28-20 with four minutes left in the second. Jackie Ventricelli hit a three-pointer for Ramapo off a dish from Thompson which started a 9-0 run for the Roadrunners which was capped off back-to-back baskets from Karly Wittenbauer for a one point lead, 29-28 with just over one minute left in the second. NJCU connected on a pair of free throws before Cahill sank a big three-pointer to end the second quarter as Ramapo led, 32-30 at halftime.
 
Rodriquez converted on an and-one play in the third before Olivia Johnstone sank a three-pointer as Ramapo led, 35-33. Jimmirah Johnson sank a pair of free throws before Ventricelli sank another three-pointer as Ramapo led, 38-35. NJCU went on an 8-2 run to take a 43-40 lead before Shannon Burns added two points for Ramapo with a jumper. Carley Martin converted on a free throw line to retake the lead, 44-43, with 2:50 on the clock. The two teams battled in the final two minutes of action as NJCU took a one point lead into the final quarter of action, 51-50. NJCU would stretch their lead to three multiple times in the first two minutes of the fourth before Thompson and Ventricelli would hit back-to-back shots in a jumper and three-pointer respectively as Ramapo led, 57-55. Jada Camacho sank a big three-pointer for NJCU to regain the lead, 58-57. The three-pointer started an 8-0 run as NJCU led by six, 63-57 with less than 4:30 on the clock. Ventricelli hit another big three-pointer for the Roadrunners before NJCU stretched their lead back to seven, 67-60. Ramapo came within one of tying the game with just over one minute to play as they went on a 6-0 run, 66-67. NJCU added their final point on the free throw line before Ramapo got the ball back with nine seconds on the clock. Ramapo had a chance to tie the game with a last second shot but could not convert as NJCU earned the road win, 68-66.
 
Rodriguez led the way for NJCU with 23 points, six rebounds and six assists while Jimmirah Johnson posted 19 points and 14 rebounds and Camacho added 13 points and three rebounds. NJCU shot 35% (25-68) from the floor, 23% (3-13) from the three-point line and 75% (15-20) from the free throw line.
 
Ventricelli scored 18 points for the Roadrunners to lead the team while adding five rebounds, four steals and one blocked shot. Thompson added her fourth double double of the season with 13 points and tied a career high of 16 rebounds while adding eight assists. Cahill added 11 points, three assists and two rebounds while Wittenbauer added 11 points and three rebounds. Ramapo shot 37% (24-64) from the floor, 30% (8-26) from the three-point line and 90% (10-11) from the free throw line.
 
The Roadrunners return to action on Saturday, February 4th when they travel to Rutgers-Camden University for a NJAC game at 1pm.