Glassboro, NJ: The #3 seeded Profs of Rowan University held on for a 69-65 NJAC Tournament Quarterfinal victory over #6 seeded Ramapo College. Rowan (18-8) advances to the semifinal round on Tuesday at #2 seeded Kean University. The Roadrunners (16-10) will wait to see if they earned an ECAC Tournament bid, which will be announced on Monday, February 27th
Following a closely played first and second quarter where the game was tied at 28 at halftime; Ramapo saw themselves down six early in the third before they were forced to call a timeout. Out of the time out,
Jackie Ventricelli and
Jada Thompson scored back-to-back baskets for the Roadrunners to shrink the Rowan lead to just two. A three-pointer from the Profs extended the lead back to five before Thompson added another layup before
Carley Martin hit a jumper to come within one, 38-39, with 4:23 on the clock. The Profs would answer back as they held a lead the remainder of the third quarter before Ramapo cut it to one once again with 15 seconds left. Ventricelli sank a pair of free throws as the Roadrunners went into the fourth quarter only down one, 43-44.
Rowan extended their lead in the fourth to six, 53-47, with just over eight minutes to play before Ramapo would go on a 7-0 run to take a one point lead. Johnstone started the run with a three-pointer before Ventricelli scored a fastbreak jumper and
Shannon Burns added two more with her own jumper for a 54-53 score. Kristina Johnson hit a three for Rowan to give them a two point lead, 56-64, before Johnstone tied the game with 5:03 on the clock with a jumper. The Roadrunners would score back-to-back-to-back three-pointers in Johnstone, Cahill and Ventricelli as Ramapo led 65-60 with 2:12 remaining. Rowan went on a 9-0 run to close out the game. A three-pointer from Marshall gave them the lead for the final time with 31 seconds on the clock, 67-65. The Profs scored their final bucket with five seconds remaining, 69-65.
Thompson posted her 8th double double of the season and third straight with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Ventricelli led the Roadrunners with 17 points while she added nine rebounds and a team high five steals.
Olivia Johnstone added 12 points including two key three-pointers down the stretch for Ramapo. Cahill contributed with 11 points while Burns recorded five points, five rebounds and one blocked shot. The Roadrunners shot 40% (25-62) from the floor, 22% (4-18) from the three-point line and 57% (11-19) from the free throw line. The Ramapo defense forced 16 Rowan turnovers which led to 16 points for the Roadrunners.
Dakota Adams led the Profs with 17 points and 13 rebounds while Marshall posted 13 points and four assists. Kate Herlihy added nine points and Kristina Johnson posted 11 points including three three-pointers. Rowan shot 40% (28-69) from the field, 31% (5-16) from the three-point line and 61% (8-13) from the free throw line. The Rowan defense forced 15 Roadrunner turnovers which led to 16 points for the Profs.
