Ewing, NJ – Stockton University (4-13, 1-9 NJAC) led preseason NJAC favorite The College of New Jersey (9-7, 8-2) throughout the first three-and-a-half quarters, but the Lions outscored the Ospreys 14-4 in overtime and foiled the upset bid 69-59. Stockton led for 29:03 of the 40 minutes in regulation.
Raquel Harris-Scott (Pine Hill/Overbrook) led the Ospreys with 14 points and 10 rebounds for her second double-double of the season.
Emily Donzanti (Toms River/TR South) contributed 13 points, a game-high seven assists and a career-high seven rebounds.
April Peterson (Lafayette/High Point) notched her fifth double-double of the year with 10 points and 10 boards.
Harris-Scott and Peterson scored six early points apiece to spark Stockton to a 16-7 lead on the way to a 17-12 advantage after one quarter. The Osprey lead reached nine twice in the second period, at 25-16 on a layup by Peterson and at 30-21 after a three-pointer by
Molly Collins (Lacey Donovan Catholic), who gave Stockton a lift off the bench with eight points in the contest.
TCNJ responded to Collins' trey with seven straight points to trim the Stockton lead to 30-28 at the break. Peterson and Harris-Scott paced the Ospreys with eight first-half points apiece. The Lions tied the game twice in the third quarter but Stockton answered each time and held a 46-41 edge entering the fourth quarter.
After the game was tied three times in a span of 2:34, TCNJ pulled ahead 52-50 with 4:11 remaining. Collins put Stockton back in front 53-52 on a three-pointer with 2:57 to play. The Lions then regained the lead with three straight points before Donzanti sank two clutch free throws at the 35-second mark for a 55-55 tie.
Both teams had opportunities to win in regulation, but Stockton missed two shots while TCNJ committed one turnover and missed a jumper at the buzzer. The Lions capitalized in OT as they did not miss a shot, going a perfect 4-4 from the floor and 6-6 at the line. Stockton, meanwhile, went 1-11 (9.1%) from the floor in overtime and suffered the 69-59 setback.
After playing four of their last five on the road, Stockton will host Ramapo at The Sports Center on Saturday at 1 pm.
