Box Score

CAMDEN, N.J. – It wasn't until a desperation three-point attempt missed the mark at the buzzer that the Rutgers University-Camden women's basketball team could breathe a sigh of relief and put a 30-game New Jersey Athletic Conference losing streak to rest here Wednesday night.
 
The Scarlet Raptors rode a career-high 20-point effort from freshman forward Michelle Obasi (Camden, NJ/Camden Catholic) and outlasted New Jersey City University, 65-63, in NJAC action. Obasi, who also added 10 rebounds for her third career double-double, helped the Raptors post their first NJAC win since a 70-41 victory over Rowan University on Jan. 23, 2013. They had dropped the final five conference games of that season, lost all 18 NJAC games last year and the first seven this season before their big win.
 
Rutgers-Camden improves to 5-10 overall and 1-7 in the NJAC, while NJCU falls to 7-8 and 1-7.
 
The Scarlet Raptors now lead the all-time series, 32-23, after snapping a three-game series winning streak by the Gothic Knights.
 
In a tight first half, the two teams traded the lead four times and were tied on two occasions. The Scarlet Raptors finally took a 31-29 lead at the half on a jumper in the last few seconds by Obasi. Rutgers-Camden received 11 first-half points from freshman guard Cara Racobaldo (Pennsauken, NJ/Camden Catholic), while Obasi added 10. NJCU placed eight players in the scoring column in the first 20 minutes, led by sophomore forward Bria Smith (Bayonne, NJ/St. Dominic Academy), who had six points and a game-high six rebounds at the break.
 
Led by the one-two punch of Smith and junior forward Deseree Johnson (Red Bank, NJ/Monmouth Regional), the Gothic Knights opened up a 57-50 lead with 5:50 remaining in the second half. Johnson scored 12 of her 15 points in the second half, while Smith added 11 of her team-high 17 after the break.
 
Rutgers-Camden, however, countered with an 11-4 run, forcing the sixth tie of the game at 61-61 on a layup by Obasi with one minute remaining. The Raptors took the lead for good, 63-61, 28 seconds later on a jumper by junior guard Kamari Talley (Camden, NJ/Creative Arts), and opened up a four-point lead on a pair of foul shots by senior center Tanjae Lewis (Magnolia, NJ/Sterling) with 13 seconds left.
 
With the clock ticking down, junior guard Kiana Briggs (Paterson, NJ/Passaic County Tech) hit a jumper for the Gothic Knights, who then fouled and watched the Raptors miss a pair of foul shots. Smith grabbed the rebound – her game-high 14th board in a double-double effort – and raced the ball up court. She was forced to shoot a three-point attempt from slightly over the halfcourt line and the shot was off as time expired.
 
Obasi's 20 points passed her previous high of 18, accomplished against both King's College (Nov. 16) and Kean University (Dec. 6).
 
Talley, who joined the Scarlet Raptors for their game against Elmira College on December 30, finished with 16 points and notched a double-double with 10 rebounds. Racobaldo, meanwhile, scored her career high of 15 points, passing the 13 she scored in that Nov. 16 King's College game. Senior guard Alex Gravinese (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) added 10 points and senior guard/forward Irene Grimanis (Brooklawn, NJ/Gloucester) grabbed nine boards as the Raptors controlled the glass, 55-35.
 
Smith's double-double of 17 points and 14 boards paced NJCU. Johnson added 15 points and Briggs canned 11. Briggs also added a game-high four steals.
 
Rutgers-Camden shot 24-for-62 (38.7 percent) from the floor and NJCU went 23-for-68 (33.8).
 
Both teams return to NJAC action Saturday. Rutgers-Camden plays a 1 p.m. game at Ramapo College, while NJCU hosts nationally-ranked Montclair State University at 2 p.m.