Post Game Comments w/ Coach Lanpher

NJIT Highlights vs. FGCU

NEWARK, NJ—FGCU stayed tied atop the ASUN Conference women's basketball standings with a 77-46 victory at NJIT Monday evening in the Fleisher Athletic Center.

The visiting Eagles won its fifth in a row, improving to 23-7 overall, 12-1 in the conference while the Highlanders drop to 10-18 overall, 3-10 in the league.

FGCU's Rosemarie Julien led four double-figure scorers with a game-best 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field, including three from downtown.  Haley Laughter and Taylor Gradinjan each combined for 11 points apiece.  The duo combined for six three-pointers while Jordin Alexander chipped in 10 points on 5-for-8 from the field and dished out five assists.

Guard Jessica Cattani added nine points (all from downtown) in 17 minutes of action off the bench for the Eagles.  Mikala McGhee grabbed a team-best eight rebounds.

The visiting Ealges combined for 16 three-pointers in the victory and currently ranks third in the nation in three-point field goals made, coming into Monday's contest.

NJIT was led by freshman forward Danielle Tunstall, who recorded her fourth double-double of the season, combining for 11 points and matching her season-best with 14 rebounds (10 on the defensive glass).  The 14 rebounds paced NJIT as the Highlanders held a 39-to-35 advantage over the Eagles on the boards.  The three blocks also matches her season-best (3 at Jacksonville).

Senior forward Leah Horton was one rebound shy a double-double, netting 11 points and pulling down nine rebounds, including two blocks.

Guard Amarri Trueheart combined for seven points while forward Maria Ruban added six points and seven rebounds for the Highlanders.

The visiting Eagles outscored the Highlanders in the first quarter, 21-2, and extended its lead to 40-13 at the half.  The home started the third quarter off on the right foot and outscored the visitors, 21-14. FGCU scored the first nine points of the fourth quarter and held a 23-12 advantage in the final stanza and went on to win 77-46.

The third quarter, the most efficient of the four for the Highlanders, scored the opening four points of the third quarter.  NJIT had a stretch of spurts, slimming the deficit to 20 on two occasions, the final to end the third stanza, sparked by a long three-pointer by Kelly Guarino followed by a layup from Tunstall and Ruban to close out the quarter down, 34-54.

NJIT will close out the regular season on Saturday (Senior Day) at 1pm when the Highlanders host USC Upstate.  Five Highlanders Leah Horton, Alana Dudley, Ruta Vetra, Camerin Spahn and Maria Ruban will be honored in pre-game ceremonies.

Updated ASUN Conference Tournament scenarios will be included on Tuesday after released by the conference office.