Jan. 23, 2007

Box Score

Newark, NJ - New Jersey Institute of Technology rallied to give itself a chance in the closing minutes, but the Highlanders, short of time, fell to Monmouth, 58-54, in women's basketball Tuesday night at Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center.

In the closing moments, with less then 1:30 on the clock, the Hawks sealed the game at the free throw line when Nyaimah Ware and Brooke McElroy hit a pair of free throws.

NJIT was led by senior co-captain Kelly Crowe who netted a game-high 15 points. Crowe - NJIT's career steals leader with 266, tallied 7 on the night. Following behind was Aine O'Dwyer who scored 8 points, all in the first half and Katie Piekielski who chipped in 8 of her own.

NJIT scored the first points of the game on a jump shot by O'Dwyer in the paint. The Hawks answered back with a 5-0 run.

Sophomore guard Marisa Jimenez scored six straight points for the Hawks pushing their lead 15-10 with less then 12:30.

The Highlanders came within two points, 28-26, on a 3-pointer by sophomore Jill Dickinson with 2:20 left in the half. Monmouth answered back with a lay-up closing out the half.

Trailing 30-28 at half, the Highlanders took their first lead, 31-30, since leading 2-0 in the opening minutes, on a 3-pointer by Piekielski.

The game was knotted for the first time at 38, with 14:10 left on a lay-up by LaKia Barber. Monmouth regained the lead on a 3-pointer by McElroy at 12:30 going up 41-38.

Crowe hit two free throws at 9:19 bringing the Highlanders within three points. Monmouth's defense held the Highlanders scoreless for the next three minutes.

Veronica Randolph came down the floor and hit her first three of the game with 6:17 left, pushing the Hawk lead, 47-40.

For the Hawks, Lindsey Zegowitz led the team with 11 points followed by Ware and Marisa Jimenez who chipped in 9 apiece. Randolph pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds.

The Highlanders return to action on Saturday, January 27, when they host IPFW. Tip-off is scheduled for 2pm.