NJIT Highlights vs. Lipscomb

Post Game Comments with ESPN3's Mike Ventola and Coach Lanpher

NEWARK, NJ—Senior Lauren Cagle led all scorers with 21 points, leading Lipscomb to a 74-58 victory over NJIT in ASUN Conference action in the Wellness and Events Center Saturday afternoon in Newark, NJ.

Lipscomb moves to an even 3-3 in the ASUN, 7-14 overall while the Highlanders fall to 1-5 in the league and 3-18 overall after picking up its first ASUN win of the season on Monday against North Florida.

In addition to Cagle's game-high 21 points, Loshaveon Jones combined for a double-double, 16 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for the Lady Bisons.  Jones went a perfect 7-for-7 from the field while Cagle went 7-for-14 from the field an 6-of-7 from the free throw line. 

Forward Emily Kmec scored 12 points, connecting on four from downtown.  Guard Lauren Rau dished out a game-high eight assists Lipscomb.

NJIT's Tatianna Torres led the Highlanders with 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists.  Senior forward Taj Lewis came off the bench and scored eight points and added five rebounds.  Guards Kelly Guarino, Amarri Trueheart and Ellyn Stoll chipped in six points each.

NJIT took control of the contest early, jumping out to a 7-2 run just under the six minute mark.  Forward Emilt Kmec knocked down a three-pointer, slimming the Highlander lead to two, 7-5.  A fast break layup by Jordan Ireland sparked an 8-1 run for the home team, taking an 15-6 advantage with 1:20 to play.  NJIT took a 17-8 lead at the end of the first quarter capped by a jumper by Danielle Tunstall outside the key.

NJIT's Amarri Trueheart and Lipscomb's Kennedy Potter knock down threes to begin the second quarter and the Lady Bison used a 13-0 run to take its first lead of the game, 21-20, on a three-pointer by Kmec at the 5:02 mark.  NJIT's Kelly Guarino sank a three-pointer from the corner at the 3:23 mark to regain the lead, 25-23.  The Lady Bisons scored the final four points of the quarter to hold a 28-23 lead.

Torres led all scorers at the half with 11 points while Lipscomb's Kmec, Potts and Loshaveon Jones paced the visitors with six points. 

Lipscomb started off the third quarter on a 15-4 spurt, taking its largest lead of the game, 14, 43-29, on a layup by Jones with 5:31 on the clock.  NJIT used a 14-3 run to close out the third quarter, behind three three-pointers – two from Ellyn Stoll, pulling within six, 50-44, of the visiting Lady Bisons.

The Highlanders closed the gap to within six early in the fourth quarter, 56-50, on six straight points by senior forward Taj Lewis.  Lipscomb pushed its lead to double-digits, 10, 62-52, on a three-pointer by Kmec and kept a comfortable lead for the final four minutes to secure a 74-58 win.

NJIT will play the next two games on the road, first visiting Kennesaw State on February 1 at 11am and Saturday at Lipscomb with tip slated for 1:30pm (CT).