Union, NJ – Stockton University (7-16, 4-12 NJAC) cut a 14-point third-quarter deficit down to three three times in the fourth period but could not overtake Kean University (12-11, 9-7) in a 79-72 setback. Freshman point guard
Emily Donzanti (Toms River/TR South) set a new school record with 125 assists on the season.
Donzanti entered the game with 117 helpers, one shy of the mark of 118 by Rosina Rachuba in the 1999-00 season. The rookie dealt the record-tying and record-breaking assists during the second quarter. Donzanti finished with eight dishes plus 11 points and four rebounds.
Madison Noordeloos (Hawthorne/Hawthorne) led the Ospreys with a career-high 15 points plus six boards. Freshman
Molly Collins (Lacey Twp./Donovan Catholic) hit three three-pointers and finished with a career-high 13 markers, her third straight game in double figures.
April Peterson (Lafayette/High Point) tallied 11 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
The Ospreys went scoreless for the first five minutes of the game while Kean reeled off 16 straight points before Stockton got going. Collins netted five points as the team closed to 22-14 after one period. The margin went back to 14 during the second stanza and stood at 40-30 at halftime.
Stockton trailed 52-38 midway through the third quarter. Five points by
Natalie Miller (New Milford/New Milford) and four by
Lajerah Wright (Atlantic City/Atlantic City) helped the Ospreys cut the deficit to 57-50 entering the fourth period.
A three-point play by Noordeloos made it a one-possession game at 61-58 with 6:02 left in regulation, but Kean answered with a basket to up the margin to five. Donzanti answered with a jumper at the 5:15 mark to get Stockton within three again at 63-60. After a scoreless 1:20, three free throws by Shannon McCoy put the Ospreys down 66-60.
Stockton kept battling and got as close as 73-70 on a bucket by Noordeloos with 26 seconds to go. Kean then went 6-8 at the line before a late basket by Noordeloos set the final at 79-72 in favor of the home team.
Stockton will play its last home game of the season on Saturday when the Ospreys host Montclair State at 1 pm.
