The TCNJ women’s basketball team secured an 82-62 victory over Rutgers-Newark on Saturday in Ewing, New Jersey. The Lions dominated the rebounding battle, collecting 52 rebounds compared to the Scarlet Raiders’ 32. Of those, TCNJ grabbed 30 offensive boards, which resulted in 28 second-chance points.
Maddie Bernhardt led TCNJ with 17 points and made four three-pointers. Brooke McFadden had a standout performance with an 11-point, 20-rebound double-double—the first Lion to reach that rebound mark since 2019. Katie Fricker also recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Together, McFadden and Fricker combined for more rebounds than the entire Rutgers-Newark roster.
The game began with early three-pointers from McFadden and Amanda Baylock as part of a quick start for TCNJ. Rutgers-Newark responded but could not close the gap for long. By halftime, TCNJ led by nine points.
In the second half, TCNJ improved its shooting from beyond the arc, converting six of fifteen attempts in the third quarter alone. Contributions came from Izzy Augustine and Cassidy Brown among others as the Lions built a lead that reached twenty points.
McFadden achieved her double-double late in the fourth quarter after making two free throws. Riley Ahrens added key baskets down the stretch to help secure the win.
According to game statistics, “The Lions shot 33.7 percent (28-of-83) from the floor, 24.5 percent (13-of-53) from deep and 68.4 percent (13-of-19) from the free throw line.” Rutgers-Newark finished at “47.8 percent (22-of-46) from the field, 44.4 percent (4-of-9) from 3-point land and 53.8 percent (14-of-26) at the charity stripe.”
Bernhardt’s four three-pointers were a game high while McFadden’s double-double was her third this season and fourth overall in her career; Fricker’s was her first of this season.
Sanaa Brodie led Rutgers-Newark with a game-high of 23 points on efficient shooting.
TCNJ’s total of thirty offensive rebounds marked their highest single-game output since the 2017–18 season. The team has now won twelve consecutive games against Rutgers-Newark.
TCNJ will next play Montclair State on Wednesday, January 14th in a rematch of last year’s NJAC Championship game.
