TCNJ upset by Rutgers-Newark in NJAC semis
EWING >> When Nicole Shatsky opened the fourth period with a 3-point goal there was a feeling it was the spark The College of New Jersey women’s basketball team needed.
The Lions played the final period with reckless abandon as they tried to erase Rutgers-Newark’s 15-point advantage.
TCNJ, who was the No. 1 seed in the New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs, couldn’t finish the rally and fell 52-45 to a Newark on the floor at Packer Hall.
“I’m very proud of them and it’s so easy to be totally dejected in moments like this,” said TCNJ coach Chessie Jackson. “This group has been through a lot this year and the seniors have a lot to be proud of, not just this year but their entire TCNJ career.”
The Lions finish the year with a 17-9 mark.
The Scarlet Raiders (15-12) play for the conference championship against the winner of the Kean/Rowan game.
“We played them well at home the last time, but we just hadn’t won a big game yet,” said Rutgers-Newark coach Ashley Cieplicki. “We came in with a lot of fight and we played good defense. We also scored a little more and that definitely helped.”
Newark, which was picked ninth in the preseason poll, scored enough to enjoy a 42-27 lead heading to the final period.
TCNJ was led by Jen Byrne with 22 points.
It was a bittersweet game for Shannon Devitt. The TCNJ sophomore broke the single season rebound record of Hillary Klimowicz of 320 set in 2008.
Devitt finished with 11, giving her 328 on the season.
It was the second and third period when the Lions went cold shooting just 7-for-25 that allowed the Scarlet Raiders to enjoy the 15-point margin.
“We missed a lot of 3’s and gave up too many second chances,” said Jackson.
The Lions were 3-for-23 from beyond the arc.
“I was really scared coming down the stretch,” said Cieplicki, as TCNJ made a run. “They hit some big shots, but I knew we had some veterans out there that knew what to do.”
Hannah Ashby led Newark with 14, Faith Ashby, the NJAC Player of the Year, had 12 as did Dorian Caparuso.
“This is unbelievable,” said Cieplicki, of going to the finals. “We are among the two left and it shows the heart, fight and determination this team has.