HACKETTSTOWN, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Despite 17 points from sophomore point guard ASHLEY VAZQUEZ (Jersey City, NJ/Marist) and a career-high 20 rebounds by junior forward ALNISA HERNAIZ (Irvington, NJ/Irvington), New Jersey City University fell behind 27-17 at halftime and couldn't capitalize on offensive opportunities in the second half as Centenary College won their first game of the season, 52-46 defending the Gothic Knights in non-conference action on December 3 at the John M. Reeves Student Recreation Center.
The win was the first ever for Centenary (1-7) over NJCU (2-4). The Gothic Knights still lead the all-time series, 5-1. NJCU shot 8-of-31 from the field in the first half and finished making 30.0 percent overall (18-60). The Cyclones shot 35.3 percent (18-51).
Vazquez reached double figures in scoring for the fifth time in six games and led the club for the third time with 17 points (6-15 FG, 3-8 3FG), while adding career highs of five assists and four steals with four rebounds in 35 minutes. She scored NJCU's first 11 points of the second half when the Knights opened the period on a 13-2 run.
Hernaiz tallied 20 rebounds (eight offensive, 12 defensive) and added 10 points and four steals, but struggled shooting in 39 minutes, making 3-of-12 shots (4-10 FT). Still, she notched her second double-double of the season and 11th of her career while recording double figures in rebounds for the 20th time in her career and exceeding 15 boards for the fourth time.
Hernaiz' 20 rebounds are the highest total in the New Jersey Athletic Conference this season and equal the largest total by any player in the league since January 3, 2011.
She became just the 15th known player in school history to notch 20 rebounds in a single game—something that has been accomplished a combined 33 times on record in the 43-year history of the program.
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