Jersey City, N.J. – Stockton University (15-9, 12-5 NJAC) was downed 76-60 by New Jersey City (16-7, 13-4) in a matchup between two teams that were tied for first place in the conference. The setback plus TCNJ's win over Ramapo slid the Ospreys into third place, and they most likely will host an NJAC Tournament first round game as either the third or fourth seed.
 
Imene Fathi (Wildwood/Wildwood) led Stockton with a team-high 17 points. Emma Morrone (Maywood/Hackensack) and Katie Rausch (Monmouth Junction/South Brunswick) poured in nine points apiece.
 
Morrone also dished a team-high six assists and grabbed five rebounds while Fathi and Rausch each sank three three-pointers. Ionyonia Alves (Mays Landing/Oakcrest) contributed seven points and seven rebounds.
 
The Ospreys fell behind 17-9 in the first quarter but rallied with a strong second period in which they outscored NJCU 18-15 to cut into the deficit. Fathi scored eight points as Stockton got within 30-27 before a late basket made it 32-27 in favor of the home team at the break.
 
The game slipped away in the third quarter as NJCU shot a blistering 72.2% from the field and outscored the Ospreys 28-18. The margin reached 20 points late in the period and never dipped below 15 in the fourth quarter as Stockton suffered the 76-60 setback.
 
Stockton will end the regular season with a home game against Kean University on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.