Dec. 28, 2006

Box Score

EASTON, PA - Sophomore Jill Dickinson's team-high 22 points led four double-figure scorers and New Jersey Institute of Technology past Lafayette 70-59 in women's basketball action Thursday night.

The Highlanders, playing a Division I schedule this season for the first time, recorded their third win of 2006 in impressive fashion, outscoring Lafayette, 48-32, in the second half.

Freshmen Katie Piekielski and Taiwo Oyelola both posted 13 points apiece. Oyelola who came off the bench, scored 11 of her 13 points from the free throw line in 12 minutes of action. Seniors Kelly Crowe and Aine O'Dwyer tallied 11 respectively. O'Dwyer pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds.

NJIT scored exactly half of its points for the night at the foul line, outscoring the home team there, 35-14, and connecting on 35 of an overwhelming 51 free throw attempts.

Lafayette opened up the night on an 8-0 run in the first six minutes, led by sophomore forward Emily Garner who posted six points. NJIT scored the next four points, on a fast break lay-up and two free throws by Dickinson.

The Leopards sparked a 10-0 run with 8:32 left in the half. Senior guard Kara Stetler posted five points in the run. In the final 3:30 the Highlanders rallied back and decreased the Leopard lead to five closing out the half, 27-22.

Trailing, 27-22, Dickinson began the second half where she left off hitting a three-pointer pulling the Highlanders within two points, 27-25. Lafayette scored the next four points on back-to-back lay-ups by Garner. With the score, 33-27, Dickinson came down the court and knocked down her second three of the game making the score 30-33 with 15:00 minutes left.

The Highlanders took their first lead of the game 39-38, at the 12- minute mark when Piekielski drained a three from behind the arc. Oyelola hit an old fashion three-point play with 7:00 minutes left on the clock, giving the Highlanders a 49-44 lead.

Oyelola closed out the game at the foul line, posting six points in the last three minutes.

For the Leopards, Garner finished the game with 20 points and nine rebounds. Junior Brittany Purr posted a double-double, with 10 points and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes of action.

The Highlanders return to action Thursday when they travel to Cornell for a 6 pm start.