Galloway, N.J. – Stockton University (5-4, 2-2 NJAC) tied the game on a clutch three-pointer by
Imene Fathi (Wildwood/Wildwood) with six seconds left and prevailed 45-44 over New Jersey City (3-5, 2-2 NJAC) in overtime. The Ospreys scored the first four points of OT and stayed in front from there.
Skylar Fowlkes (Vineland/Vineland) led Stockton with a team-high 10 points plus eight rebounds. Freshman
Jameelyonna Horace (Penns Grove/Penns Grove) contributed career highs of nine points and 10 rebounds.
Freshman
Aiyonna Alexander (Sicklerville/Winslow Twp.) also recorded career highs with eight markers and 10 boards. Fathi finished with eight points and six rebounds. The Ospreys dominated the glass 53-38.
The lead changed hands six times in the fourth quarter before Fathi's timely three-pointer tied the game 36-36 with six seconds on the clock. Fathi and Alexander then scored the first two baskets of overtime for a 40-36 advantage.
The Ospreys led by four on three more occasions, with the last coming at 45-41 on a free throw by Fathi with 11 ticks left. A late three-pointer by NJCU's Elyssa Russo set the final score at 45-44.
Fowlkes scored six points and Horace added four during a low-scoring first half that ended with Stockton on top 17-10. The lead was 19-12 after a basket by Fowlkes in the third quarter, but NJCU reeled off eight straight points and pulled ahead 20-19.
The remainder of the third stanza and entire fourth period were close.
Danielle Jeffreys (Sicklerville/Williamstown) gave the Ospreys a lift with five of her team's 12 fourth-quarter points. Fathi forced overtime and Stockton outlasted the Gothic Knights 45-44 after five extra minutes.
Kendra Rigo paced NJCU with a double-double of a game-high 17 points plus 10 rebounds. Carissa Reyes scored 10 markers and Autumn John added 10 boards plus four points.
Stockton's final game before Christmas will come on Saturday when the Ospreys visit Rutgers-Newark for an NJAC game that tips off at 4:00 p.m.