Boxscore

Galloway, NJ –Stockton University (21-5), the No. 2 seed in the NJAC Tournament, advanced to their first NJAC final since 2006 as they downed a tough Rutgers-Newark (14-13) squad 72-61 on Wednesday night. The Ospreys overcame 17 turnovers and 52.8% (19-36) shooting at the free throw line to move on in the tournament.
 
The first half was a defensive struggle and even though Stockton shot 58.3% (14-24) from the field, the Ospreys could only muster a 36-34 lead at the break. They jumped out to a 12-3 lead and held that advantage unto the Scarlet Raiders climbed back to tie the contest at 21-21 with 8:26 left in the first stanza.
 
Stockton had to fight through some foul trouble but Taylor Christina (Franklinville/Delsea) came off the bench to provide some life with four quick points to push Stockton back up 30-23. Rutgers-Newark once again forged a tie at 34-34 until Alex Nardoza (Fords/Woodbridge) hit a jumper with 32 seconds left to give the Ospreys the lead at the break. Nardoza potted 11 points during the first 20 minutes of play.
 
The second period saw the Scarlet Raiders take control of the contest at 51-45 with 12:37 left in regulation before Stockton made their charge. A Sara Farrell (Marlton/Cherokee) three-pointer and two buckets by Sasha Williams (Cherry Hill/Cherry Hill West) gave Stockton a 52-51 lead that they would not relinquish. The Ospreys slowly stretched the lead, outscoring their opponents 22-10 over the final 11:02 before setting the final score at 72-61.
 
Farrell led Stockton with a season-high 20 points while Nardoza canned 14 markers and Williams netted 13 points. Williams also grabbed 11 boards to go with three blocked shots. Jazmin Palma (North Bergen/North Bergen) dished a game-high five assists and grabbed four steals.
 
Jade Howard, the NJAC's leading scorer, led all players with 25 points, but only eight in the second half. Howard also grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds to go with four steals for Rutgers-Newark. Maria Simmons added 15 markers and a game-high five steals, with teammate Sharee Gordon chipping in with 11 points and three blocks.
 
Stockton will travel to two-time defending champion Montclair State for the NJAC championship on Saturday. Game time is set for 5 pm. Stockton will be trying to win their first NJAC title since 2005.