The College of New Jersey women’s basketball team secured a 63-36 victory over Ramapo, closing out their final New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) contest of the calendar year. The Lions improved to 3-7 overall and 3-2 in conference play.
A key factor in the win was TCNJ’s dominance on the boards, as they collected 24 offensive rebounds and converted them into 24 second-chance points. Brooke McFadden led the effort with a career-high 16 points and matched her career best with 16 rebounds, including five on the offensive end. She shot 7-of-9 from the field.
Despite struggling early from three-point range—missing their first seven attempts—the Lions managed to recover. Amanda Baylock tied the game with a three-pointer following an offensive rebound by McFadden, then McFadden scored to give TCNJ a lead they would not relinquish. Baylock contributed four offensive rebounds in the first quarter and added a short jumper to help establish a 14-10 advantage after one period.
TCNJ held Ramapo scoreless for more than six minutes spanning the first and second quarters, building momentum with baskets from McFadden, Baylock, and Myah Hourigan-Hutton. The Lions’ defense limited Ramapo’s opportunities throughout the game.
By halftime, TCNJ led 32-19. In the third quarter, a decisive 9-0 run extended their lead to 49-23. During that stretch, Izzy Augustine scored while being fouled; Olivia Voshell grabbed an offensive rebound off Augustine’s missed free throw; and Baylock hit a three-pointer for a five-point possession.
The Lions’ lead grew as large as 28 points late in the fourth quarter before settling at a final margin of 27.
Statistically, TCNJ shot 32.9 percent from the field (24-for-73), made ten three-pointers on thirty-nine attempts (25.6 percent), and went five-for-six at the free throw line (55.6 percent). They outrebounded Ramapo by twenty-one (57-36) and outscored them in fast-break points by fourteen to zero. The team recorded only eight turnovers—six coming in the final quarter—and distributed fifteen assists.
For Ramapo, Vanessa Kohler led with eight points and six rebounds; Lauren Flatt had seven points; Denay Jones added six.
McFadden contributed nine points, six rebounds, three blocks, and two steals in just the first half. Baylock finished with fifteen points on five-of-twenty-one shooting along with seven rebounds and four assists. Grace Kowalski scored eight points on efficient shooting; Katie Fricker had six points and seven rebounds; Augustine also chipped in six points.
This win marks TCNJ’s fifth consecutive victory over Ramapo in their series, with each of the last four decided by an average margin of thirty-two points. McFadden’s double-double was her second this season and third of her collegiate career; she previously recorded sixteen rebounds against Rutgers-Camden nearly one year ago.
The Lions will return after winter break at Smith College’s holiday tournament in Massachusetts, facing St. John Fisher on December 30 before meeting fourth-ranked Smith College on December 31.
