Feb. 9, 2008

Box Score

CHICAGO, IL - Chicago State scored 35 of its 80 points from the free throw line as Cougars Jasmin Dixon led all scorers with 18 points, 9 rebounds while shooting a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line in an 80-67 win over visiting NJIT at the Jones Convocation Center Saturday afternoon.

The Cougars, who connected on 35 of their 41 attempts from the free throw line, got a game-high 18 points from Dixon. Guard Alyssa Waldon recorded 15 points as she shot 7-for-7 from the free throw line. Center Nicole Clark finished with 10 points shooting 3-for-6 from the field.

NJIT got a double-double from sophomore Taiwo Oyelola who posted 12 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Freshman Jessica Gerald and junior Jill Dickinson each added 10 points.

Highlander Kehinde Oyelola, playing17 minutes in a reserve role, added nine points and three rebounds while shooting guard Katie Piekielski chipped in nine.

Three Cougars pulled down nine rebounds as Chicago State outrebounded the Highlanders on the boards, 46-34.

In addition to Chicago State shooting 85 percent from the free throw line, the home team outscored the visitors in bench points, 25-19.

NJIT took an 11-4 lead in the opening five minutes led by freshman guard Gerald with four points.

Chicago State battled back coming within one point of the Highlanders on a three-pointer by Courtney Waldon, 16-15, with 8:37 left in the first half. NJIT junior Dickinson came down and answered with a three-pointer of her own going up four.

The score became knotted three times over the next three minutes, as Chicago State's Brittany Nair sunk two free throws, 23-23, with less then four minutes to go in the first half.

The Cougars took a 35-31lead halftime score as Dixon hit a jumper in the paint at the buzzer. Dixon led all scorers at the half with 14 points (8-for-8) from the free throw line.

Junior point guard McCaffrey opened the second half with a three-pointer from the top of the key, as the Highlanders found themselves one-point behind, 35-34.

Chicago State went on a 7-0 spurt increasing the Cougar lead to eight on a lay-up by Elana Wroten, at the 14:42 mark.

NJIT came out of their 30 second time out scoring four straight points by rookie Adriana Johnson, bringing the score 42-38, but the Cougars put the game away from the free throw line as they shot 17-for-23 in the second half.

NJIT returns to action on Valentine's Day (Thursday) when they host Morgan State at 7pm in the Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center.