Newark, N.J. – Stockton University (6-4, 3-2 NJAC) opened up a double-digit lead in the first half and stayed in front for a 48-34 victory over Rutgers-Newark (3-8, 0-5 NJAC) in the last game before a two-week Christmas break. The 34 points were the least allowed by Stockton in their last 17 games.
 
Katie Rausch (South Brunswick/South Brunswick) led the Ospreys with a game-high 13 points. Rausch sank three of her team's six three-pointers and also added four steals. Imene Fathi (Wildwood/Wildwood) chipped in with 10 points, a game-high six steals and a team-high four assists.
 
Aiyonna Alexander (Sicklerville/Winslow Twp.) and Lauren Winant (Middletown/Middletown South) notched career highs of 11 rebounds apiece while adding eight and six points respectively. The Ospreys scored 22 points off 33 Rutgers-Newark turnovers.
 
Fathi tossed in five straight points late in the first quarter to stake Stockton to an 8-3 lead. Rausch hit two three-pointers and tallied eight markers in the second period as the Ospreys extended the lead to double digits and went to the break with a 23-10 advantage.
 
After the margin reached 14 points, the Scarlet Raiders used a 10-0 run to get within 26-22 before another three-pointer by Rausch with 12 seconds left made it 29-22 entering the fourth quarter. Winant netted all six of her points in the final stanza and Stockton pulled away down the stretch for the 48-34 triumph.
 
Nicole Timario and Zoe Francis-Bunkley paced Rutgers-Newark with eight and seven points respectively. NJAC rebound leader Tracey Ilderis grabbed a game-high 16 boards, which is tied for the most by an NJAC player in a game this season.
 
Stockton, winners of two straight, will play next at Penn State Abington on December 30 at 3:00 p.m.