VIDEO: NJIT Highlights at Liberty
LYNCHBURG, VA--NJIT's Danielle Tunstall posted her 19th career double-double of the season, netting 16 points and 10 rebounds but it was enough as Liberty defeated visiting NJIT, 66-48, in ASUN Conference women's basketball action at the Vines Center Saturday afternoon.
Liberty won its second straight improving to 14-11 overall, 7-5 in ASUN while the Highlanders move to 4-20 overall, 1-10 in the league.
For Tunstall, the Highlander forward has recorded three-straight double-doubles, tallying her ninth of the season, shooting 7-for-12 from the field. Freshman Kenna Squier was the other Highlander in double-digits, netting 12 points, four rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
Liberty's Ashtyn Baker scored a game-high 21 points, six assists and four rebounds, shooting 8-for-14 from the field and a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line. Mya McMillan came off the bench to score 11 points and pull down five rebounds.
The Flames scored the first seven points in the opening two minutes and NJIT's Ellyn Stoll got the Highlanders on the board with a three-pointer from the wing at the 7:35 mark for a 7-3 score.
Liberty scored the next six straight and freshman Kenna Squier sank one of two from the free throw line at the 1:16 mark to break the Highlanders six-minute scoring drought. Danielle Tunstall closed out the quarter with a layup for a 13-6 score after the first 10 minutes. The Flames held NJIT to just 2-of-13 shooting from the field.
NJIT used a 9-2 spurt in the second quarter capped by a high-low over-the-top pass from Fux to Tracey Brereton, closing the Flames deficit to three, 19-16. The Flames used a 6-2 run in the final 2:30 heading into the half with a 25-18 lead.
Tunstall led all scorers after the first 20 minutes with seven points, six rebounds and two steals. Liberty's Keyden Green and Mya McMillian each netted six points apiece.
NJIT came out on fire in the third stanza, slimming the Flames lead to two, 28-26, after back-to-back three-pointers by Kennedy Cash. Liberty scored the next four points but the Highlanders fighting back pulled within two for the second time this quarter, 32-30, after a jumper by Tunstall and layup from Squier, heading into the under-five minute media.
Liberty went on an 8-0 run, to open a 10-point lead, 40-30, resulting in a Highlander timeout. The Flames kept its momentum scoring the final eight out of nine points for a 17-point lead, 52-35.
The Flames extended its lead to 25, its biggest lead of the game, 62-37, in the fourth quarter. NJIT scored the final six points of the game as the Flames secured a 66-48 victory.
NJIT will continue its two-game ASUN road swing at Lipscomb on Monday at 6:30pm (CT). In the first meeting of the season on January 20, the Lady Bisons exploded for 44 second-half points led by three double-figures, defeating NJIT 65-57. Tunstall paced the Highlanders with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
The Highlanders will return home and wrap up the home portion of its schedule with a two-game homestand hosting No. 22 FGCU on February 22, which will mark Senior Day for three graduating seniors -- Danielle Tunstall, Milena Bajic and Tracey Brereton. Tip-off will be slated for 1pm. The home season will conclude on Monday, February 24 at 7pm, welcoming Stetson to NJIT's Wellness and Events Center. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN3.
