CHICAGO – Three different players scored in double-figures for Chicago State, paced by Courtney Waldon's game-high 27 points on 10-for-15 shooting from the field, as the Cougars defeated visiting NJIT in Great West Conference women's basketball action Saturday at the Jones Convocation Center.

Chicago State raised its season record to 12-8, 4-0 in the conference with an 83-42 win over the Highlanders.

After Waldon's 27 points, senior forward Teresa Beckel, who was 6-for-13 from the field, scored 16 points and classmate Caila Desroches came off the bench, finishing with a double-double (14 points and game-high 17 rebounds).  Elana Wroten scored eight points and pulled down 10 rebounds. 

Point guard Janay Dockery shared game-high honors with NJIT's Kimberly Dweck dishing out six assists.  Dockery posted a game-high five steals and added eight points for the Cougars.

The scoring and rebounding leader for NJIT (5-12, 2-1 GWC) was senior Jessica Gerald, who finished with 22 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field, 4-for-7 from behind the arc and a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line, and grabbed four rebounds.  The 5-foot-8 guard has posted five 20-point performances in the last five contests, with a season-high 28 points vs. Houston Baptist on January 15.

Chicago State scored the opening basket and the game seesawed back and forth over the next six minutes until the Highlanders sparked an 8-2 run to pull ahead of the home team, 23-14, at the 12:45 mark.

The Cougars scored 11 unanswered points from the 12:30 mark to the 7:00 mark taking a two-point lead, 25-23.  Gerald broke the ice, connecting on a three-pointer at the 6:30 mark. The home team scored the next eight points for a 33-26 score, with 2:40 remaining.

NJIT trimmed the lead down to four, 33-29, as freshman Jelena Zoric hit one of two from the free throw line with 1:36 on the clock.  Chicago State knocked down three free throws to go back up by seven, 36-29.  Gerald closed out the half sinking two free throws with 13 seconds left.

Waldon led all scorers at the half with 19 while Gerald netted 17.

Leading at the half, 36-31, Chicago State outscored the visitors 47-11 in the second half to secure the win.

Waldon scored the first points of the second half and Gerald responded hitting a trey ball at the 19:40 mark, slimming the lead down to four, 38-34, the closest the Highlanders would get to Chicago State.

Chicago State made steals on its next three defensive possessions, converting the steals into points and the Cougars were in full control the rest of the way.

The Highlanders will break for a week and return to action on Saturday, January 29 at Utah Valley.  Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30pm (MT).