Union, N.J. – Stockton University (5-7, 1-5 NJAC) came within a minute of dealing NJAC co-leader Kean University (10-3, 6-0) its first conference loss, but the Ospreys were overtaken and edged 69-66. Stockton produced its highest point total since November and four Ospreys reached double figures.
Hailee Porricelli (Howell/Freehold Twp.) led the quartet with a career-high 16 points. Porricelli sank four three-pointers.
Emily Donzanti (Toms River/TR South) contributed a season-high 14 points plus six assists and five steals while playing all but 58 seconds of the game.
Lajerah Wright (Atlantic City/Atlantic City) finished with 12 markers and nine rebounds followed by
Kiley Gelston (Washington Twp./Washington Twp.) with 10 points.
Ionyonia Alves (Mays Landing/Oakcrest) grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds and tossed in seven counters.
The game was tied 58-58 entering the fourth quarter, which saw Stockton tally eight of the first nine points to open up a 66-59 lead after a Gelston layup with 4:36 to play. The Ospreys did not score again as they went 0-8 from the floor with four turnovers the rest of the way.
Despite the slump, Stockton stayed in front until Kean's Shannon McCoy sank the go-ahead three-pointer to make it 67-66 with 21 seconds left. Trailing 68-66 following a turnover and Kean free throw, the Ospreys got two shots to tie in the closing seconds but both stayed out before one more free throw set the final at 69-66.
Earlier, Stockton withstood 56.3 percent shooting by the Cougars to stay within 23-20 at the end of a high-scoring first quarter. Porricelli and Donzanti paced the Ospreys with seven and five points respectively in the opening period.
In the second stanza, Alves scored the last four points of a 10-0 outburst that put Stockton up 32-25. After Kean fought back, a last-second layup by Gelston gave the Ospreys a 39-38 edge at the half. The lead changed hands six times in a tight third quarter that fittingly ended with the game knotted at 58, setting the stage for the dramatic final period.
Stockton returns home to host New Jersey City in a conference game at The Sports Center on Saturday at 1 p.m.
