Rowan women’s basketball defeated the Rutgers-Newark Scarlet Raiders, who are winless in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play, on Saturday, Feb. 15 by a final score of 90-58.

It was also Senior Day for the Profs, as the group of Kate Herlihy, Sabrina Araujo, Kristina Johnson, Shayla Johnson, Reagan Russo, and Kelli Kuenzel were all honored before their final regular season home game.

“They are a great group,” head coach Kate Pearson said. “I am very happy that they have had the opportunity to play together and come out with the win.”

Fifth-year player Kristina Johnson has spent the most time with the team, and the ceremony held special meaning for her.

“It meant a lot,” Johnson said. “I have been playing this game since I was little. I have played with all of these seniors for the last four or five years. It was really special stepping out on the court with them today.”

The moment was surreal for many of the players, perhaps most of all for Araujo.

“It was super emotional,” Araujo said. “It really has not hit me yet. Even earlier today, when we went down to the locker room, it did not hit me. It’s starting to hit me right now, and it’s very special.”

After the pregame ceremony concluded, the game began. The Profs came out of the gates a little slow, with the game staying within five points for the first six minutes. One of the biggest factors in the opening quarter that allowed Rowan to create separation was their ability to force turnovers. In the span of a minute, the Scarlet Raiders turned the ball over three times.

“Something we always try to message is creating defense from our offense,” Pearson said. “Usually, one spurs the other on both sides.”

The second quarter showcased the Profs’ ability from deep. It was the seniors who got it done from long range, with Herlihy hitting two three-pointers, Araujo adding one, and Johnson connecting on another.

Overall, Rowan was dominant from beyond the arc compared to Rutgers-Newark. The Profs hit 10 threes, while the Scarlet Raiders managed just two.

“We talked a lot about playing inside-out,” Pearson said. “[Araujo] hit a couple, and [Johnson] also hit a couple. We also got good inside looks. When we get both going, that’s when we play our best.”

Araujo hit half of her team’s three-pointers, shooting 5-for-9 from beyond the arc. She finished the game with 16 points and played solid defense in her 20 minutes on the floor.

“I was just going out there and playing with my heart,” Araujo said. “It was Senior Day, and it was my final regular season home game. I wanted to leave it all out there and give my best.”

The Profs locked down Rutgers-Newark in the third quarter, holding the Scarlet Raiders to just eight points. A big piece of the team’s defensive effort in that quarter was Johnson.

Throughout her career, Johnson has been a Swiss Army knife for the team, thriving in the “little things” department that add up over time. In this game, she recorded 10 points, five rebounds and six assists.

“Even when I’m not scoring, I try to do something,” Johnson said. “I try to get a rebound or impact the game some other way, and then my offense gets going.”

With this win, the Profs now sit in fourth place in the NJAC and will likely remain in that spot as the regular season concludes. That means that they’re guaranteed to have at least one home playoff game. The Profs will most likely host Kean in the first round, a team that finished under .500 this season.

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