The Rowan Women’s basketball team put a three-game losing streak to bed with a win over the weekend against Jersey City University. The Profs blew them out by a score of 93-31.
Unfortunately, big losses have been a theme for Jersey City this season. They have yet to win a game and sit at the bottom of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) with an overall record of 0-18.
Despite how lopsided the game was, Rowan head coach Gabby Lisella had full respect for the opposition before and after the game.
“A lot of kids in their situation would have quit,” Lisella said. “But those kids go in everyday and work hard despite not having a win yet and that’s tough to do.”
Lisella also knew that the game could benefit her team in a lot of ways going forward in the final few games of the regular season.
“First, we had to make sure we stayed focused,” Lisella said. “We went in with a business-like attitude. We wanted to make sure that we took the opportunity to improve in a couple different areas. Rebounding was something we really wanted to focus on.”
Lisella also pointed out that everyone for the Profs got in the game. For a team as young as Rowan is this season, it was something the coach was very happy about.
“It was a great opportunity for a lot of the players to get minutes, to help them prepare for what’s down the road and in case we need them before season’s end,” Lisella said.
Rowan’s next game is at home vs. Kean University. In the first meeting between the two teams, the Profs brought home a 91-65 victory. In the win, senior center April Szymczyk had 25 points, 19 rebounds and 4 blocks while senior guard Alex Raring added 23 points.
The game plan for the brown and gold will be similar from the earlier meeting.
“Their [Kean] personnel has changed a bit since we last faced them,” Lisella said. “They also are playing better as a team lately compared to how they were playing then. We need to make some slight adjustments, but nothing huge. We just need to go out and execute.”
Rowan defeated Kean, 76-67 on Wednesday night to improve to 10-6 in the NJAC and 13-9 overall. Szymczyk had a double-double, posting 10 points and 12 rebounds. Alex Raring had a game-high 17 points as Summer Crilley and Olivia Rulon poured in 13 apiece, respectively.
Perhaps the biggest story of all for this game, though, was the lopsided advantage the Profs had from the free throw line. They went 30-34 compared to Kean’s 10-18.
Two games remain on the regular season schedule for Rowan. A home game versus Rutgers-Camden and then a trip to Ramapo College is all that stands in the team’s way before the playoffs.
“We have some things we need to take care of,” Lisella said. “We are trying to put ourselves in the best position to advance our season. We know there is still work to be done.”
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