JERSEY CITY, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Kean University entered Saturday's rematch with New Jersey City University as a red-hot team poised for the post-season. But on February 1, NJCU was the squad that looked like a playoff team. NJCU led wire-to-wire and used an impressive defensive effort to post the most lopsided victory over Kean in the history of the series, routing the Cougars, 72-49, in New Jersey Athletic Conference women's basketball at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (Coach Charlie Brown Court).
Four players scored in double figures for NJCU which led 39-22 at halftime and by as many as 30 points in the second half. NJCU shot 44.0 percent overall (22-50) and 24-of-36 foul shots while limiting Kean to 24.6 percent shooting (15-61) and just 4-of-19 three-point accuracy (.211). Kean also struggled from the line, making 15-of-31 (.484).
Defensively, all five starters had a blocked shot and NJCU rejected 11 shots as a team—the most in a game in seven years. It was the most blocked shots against an NJAC foe since the 2005-06 season.
The 23-point margin of victory was one more than the previous most lopsided win—a 66-44 victory in Union on November 29, 1997. NJCU has won three of the last four meetings with the Cougars.
Kean, which had won five consecutive games—including an upset of #10 Montclair State on January 18 that snapped the Red Hawks' 27-game NJAC winning streak—fell to 11-8 (8-4 NJAC), but is still solidly in control of third place in the league with six conference games remaining. NJCU's seventh win (7-13, 4-9 NJAC) is the most since the 2009-10 campaign. Its fourth NJAC win is the most since the 2006-07 season.
Junior point guard Ashley Vazquez (Jersey City, NJ/Marist) was the catalyst for NJCU's offense as she notched her fourth career 20-point scoring effort—third this year—and was one shy of equaling her career high set a week ago. Vazquez, who reached double figures for the 18th time in 20 games this season, poured in 22 points, highlighted by 5-of-9 shooting and 11-of-13 free throw precision. She added five rebounds and three assists in 39 minutes.
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