Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (5-8, 1-6 NJAC) staged a furious fourth-quarter rally but came up on the short end of a 69-57 defeat to New Jersey City (4-8, 2-5 NJAC) on Saturday afternoon. Freshman Maddie McCracken (Wildwood/Wildwood) led the Ospreys with a career-high 16 points.
 
The Gothic Knights started quickly, pressuring Stockton with an up-tempo beginning. The visitors jumped out to a 9-0 lead and finished the quarter forging a 23-7 first-period lead. The NJCU defense forced nine turnovers in the frame.
 
The second period was not much better for the Ospreys as they scored just four markers and fell behind 32-11 at the break. Emily Donzanti (Toms River/Toms River South) tallied five of the points for Stockton to top the team. The Ospreys shot just 3-19 (15.8%) during the first 20 minutes of play.
 
The Ospreys began to show signs of life in the third period, ending the quarter on an 8-1 run to slice the margin to 47-25 after three. Baskets by Kiley Gelston (Washington Twp./Washington Twp.) and freshman Ionyonia Alves (Mays Landing/Oakcrest), plus four foul shots aided the spurt.
 
Stockton hit the gas in the final period with a 32-point quarter. With the score 50-27, Hailee Porricelli (Howell/Freehold Twp.) banged in a three-pointer to start a 13-2 run. McCracken followed that up with six straight points, with Chyna Wooten (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter) and Alves scoring baskets to cut the margin even further to 52-40.
 
After an NJCU hoop, Alves scored two more baskets on Donzanti assists, to cut into the advantage at 56-44 with 3:19 to play. Free throws by Donzanti, Wooten and a pair by McCracken made it 61-54 with 37 seconds left, but that was as close as the Ospreys would come.
 
NJCU made eight consecutive free throws with time winding down to offset a three by Gelston and set the final score at 69-57 in favor of the Gothic Knights.
 
In addition to McCracken, Porricelli and Alves tallied 10 points each, with Alves tying her career high. Wooten topped the Ospreys with eight rebounds and two blocks, with Donzanti dishing a game-high five assists.
 
NJCU had four players in double figures, led by Alexandria Sims with game-highs of 19 points and four steals. Hannah Johnson posted 14 markers, with Dayjah Anderson and Mya Neal adding 13 points each. Ayanna Lewis topped all players with 10 rebounds.
 
Stockton will play again on Monday night as the Ospreys will host Delaware Valley at 7 pm at home. The game was rescheduled after a postponement on December 2.