OSPREYS NIPPED BY RUTGERS-NEWARK 44-41

Che'Na Thompson

Boxscore

Richard Stockton (12-8, 4-5 NJAC) was unable to break out of its offensive doldrums as the Ospreys dropped their fourth straight game, 44-41 to Rutgers-Newark (15-5, 6-3). Stockton shot just 26.4%, including 3-15 (20%) from three-point range, and committed 21 turnovers.

Che’Na Thompson (Salem/Salem) tallied game highs of 16 points and 15 rebounds for her second consecutive double-double. LaTonya Oliver (West Berlin/Overbrook) grabbed 13 boards and scored six points for the Ospreys.

Stockton crept out to a 12-7 lead nearly 12 minutes into a very low-scoring first half. Thompson sparked the Ospreys to the lead with two layups. Thompson later scored the last five points of the period on a three-pointer and jumper to give Stockton a 17-14 lead at intermission.

The Ospreys shot 31.8% from the floor but led by just three even though Rutgers-Newark went just 5-37 (13.5%) overall, including a miserable 1-16 (6.3%) from three-point range.

The scoring pace increased a little in the second half. After Rutgers-Newark opened up a 33-25 lead, Thompson brought Stockton back with five points during a 10-0 outburst that put the Ospreys ahead 35-33.

Oliver later gave Stockton its last lead of the game with a jumper at the 3:48 mark for a 40-38 edge. Rutgers-Newark answered with four straight points while the Ospreys went scoreless for the next 3:17 and fell 44-41.