Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (9-14, 4-12 NJAC) fell victim to torrid shooting by Kean University (16-7, 12-4 NJAC) and dropped a 78-74 contest on Wednesday night. Emily Donzanti (Toms River/Toms River South) scored 20 points to lead the Ospreys, the fifth straight game the sophomore has totaled points in double digits.
 
Stockton began the game on a strong note, shooting a red-hot 57.1 percent (8-14) on the way to a 20-6 first quarter lead. Donzanti led the squad with eight markers, with freshman Ionyonia Alves (Mays Landing/Oakcrest)  and senior Lajerah Wright (Atlantic City/Atlantic City) adding four points each.
 
Kean was able to turn the tables in the second frame. After a Hailee Porricelli (Howell/Freehold Twp.) three-ball pushed the margin to 23-7 in favor of the Ospreys, the Cougars rattled off a 25-6 run over the final seven minutes of the period to take a 32-29 lead with 47 seconds left.
 
Alves scored the final basket of the half to help Stockton close to 32-31 at the break. The Cougars shot 47.1 percent (8-17), that included 4-7 from behind the arc, to Stockton's 23.5 percent (4-17) in the second quarter to gain control of the game.
 
The Cougars' hot shooting continued in the third quarter as the visitors hit their first six shots, including a perfect 4-4 from three-point range to forge 45-39 advantage at the seven-minute mark. Stockton kept the game close, fighting back to regain the lead at 52-51 on a Maddie McCracken (Wildwood/Wildwood) basket with 2:10 left.
 
Kean answered with the final six points of the quarter to gain a 57-52 lead after three periods of play. The Cougars tried to put the game away in the fourth stanza, but the Ospreys closed once again to one point at 62-61 with 6:10 left in regulation. That was as close as Stockton would get as the Ospreys could not overcome the Cougars in the 78-74 final score.
 
Donzanti scored 20 points or more for the second time in her last three games and dished a game-high six assists with a pair of steals. Alves posted a career-high 16 points (7-12 shooting), with a game- and career-best 14 rebounds for her second double-double of the season.
 
The rookie has pulled down double-digit rebounds in four of her last five games. McCracken added 10 markers, with Wright tying her season high with 11 rebounds, blocking two shots and pilfering two steals.
 
Kean had four players in double figures led by Payce Lange with 19 points. Sarah Olivero tallied 17 points, four blocks and three steals, with teammates Shannon McCoy and Cindy Foresta adding 15 and 10 points respectively.
 
Stockton will travel to Montclair State on Saturday for the Ospreys' next game. Tip-off is set for 3 pm.