Highlights

NASHVILLE, TN—The NJIT women's basketball team picked up its 10^th win of the season, first-ever ASUN Conference road win and regular season sweep in NJIT's 76-53 victory at Lipscomb Saturday afternoon at Allen Arena.

The Highlanders recorded its third ASUN Conference victory on the season, improving to 3-5 in the league and 10-13 overall while Lipscomb falls to 2-6 in the ASUN and 5-18 overall.

Senior guard Alana Dudley led four double-figure scorers with 18 points, including three three-pointers and a game-best six assists.  Redshirt sophomore Kelly Guarino netted 17 points, shooting 5-for-11 from downtown in addition to five rebounds and four steals.  Guarino has connected on 11 three-pointers in the last two games.

Forward Leah Horton combined for 14 points and seven rebounds on 4-of-8 from the field and 6-of-7 from the free throw line.  Redshirt sophomore Tatianna Torres filled up the box score with 10 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. 

Center Maria Ruban put together a strong performance off the bench, scoring seven points, grabbing rebounds and two blocked shots.

Lipscomb's Riley Northway paced the Lady Bison with 16 points followed by 13 from junior point guard Loren Cagle added 13 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.

NJIT, ahead 34-32 at the half, exploded for 42 second-half points, keeping the game out of reach for the home team. 

As a team, the Highlanders shot 42 percent from the field (24-for-57), 47 percent from three-point range (9-for-19) and matched its season-best mark of 19 assists (19 vs. St. Joseph's BK on November 15).

The Highlanders led early 11-9 in the first quarter, paced by Horton, who made an impact in the paint, scoring the first nine points for the Highlanders.  Both teams traded baskets over the final four minutes with NJIT holding a 17-16 lead.  Horton led all scorers with 10 points in nine minutes.

NJIT continued its hot streak in the second quarter with an 11-7 run, sparked by a three-pointer by Kelly Guarino at the 8:10 mark and consecutive layups by Maria Ruban for a 28-23 lead with 6:47 remaining.

NJIT went on a 6-0 run over the next 1:50 on back-to-back three-pointers by Tracey Brereton and Dudley for a 34-25 lead, the biggest lead for the visitors in the half.  Lipscomb held the Highlanders scoreless over the last 4:25 and pulled to within two points of the Highlanders, 32-34, at the half, on a three-pointer by Kennedy Potts.

The Highlanders jumped out on a 12-4 spurt to open the third quarter, extending the visitors lead to 10, 46-36.  Over the next 3:11, NJIT used a 10-0 run pushing the lead to 15, 51-36.  Lipscomb broke the scoring drought on a layup by Riley Northway at the 2:35 mark.  NJIT scored the final three points of the quarter from the free throw line to hold a 14-point lead, 54-40.

NJIT started the fourth period on a 12-4 spurt, pushing the game out of reach, 68-44.

The Highlanders will return home for a mid-week game, hosting Kennesaw State in the Fleisher Athletic Center at 7pm.  In the first meeting at Kennesaw State, the Owls used a 15-2 spurt to open the fourth quarter and combined for 30 points in the final stanza, securing a 75-64 victory.