The New Jersey City University (NJCU) women’s basketball team lost a close game to Stockton University, 58-53, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) matchup held at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center on Wednesday.
Stockton improved its record to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in NJAC play. The Ospreys shot 32.4% from the field and 26.7% from three-point range, while NJCU finished with similar shooting percentages, hitting 32.7% overall and making 41.7% of their shots from beyond the arc. Stockton led several key statistical categories, including points off turnovers (16-10), second-chance points (11-7), bench scoring (17-11), points in the paint (32-12), and fast-break points (7-2).
For NJCU, sophomore Meghan Gentile scored a team-high 17 points along with five rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Junior Na’tori Postell also contributed 17 points, four rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Junior Bailey Cassell led the team with seven rebounds and added three assists and three points. Off the bench, junior Kaylah Neal provided nine points and six rebounds. Junior Autumn John recorded three assists, two blocks, four rebounds, and two points.
Stockton had three players score in double figures. Zemirah Enalls recorded a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds along with three steals and two blocks. Lauren Winant scored 11 points while Imene Fathi added ten. Grace Speer collected twelve rebounds for Stockton.
The first quarter ended with NJCU leading 12-7 after free throws by Neal and a jumper in the lane helped establish an early advantage. Gentile led NJCU’s offense early with eight first-quarter points.
Stockton responded midway through the second quarter with a seven-point run to take their first lead since early in the game before both teams went into halftime tied at nineteen.
In the third quarter, Autumn John’s jumper started an eight-point run for NJCU that included consecutive three-pointers from Gentile and Postell to give them their largest lead at 37-30. Stockton closed out the quarter trailing by just three after scoring at the buzzer.
The fourth quarter saw both teams exchange baskets until Stockton regained control late in the period following back-to-back layups for a narrow lead at 49-48 with just over four minutes left to play. Neal tied it up again at fifty-three each before Stockton hit a decisive three-pointer in the final minute followed by two free throws to secure their win.
NJCU will next face Kean University on Saturday, December 13th in Union, N.J., for another conference matchup scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
