Strong First Half Leads Rams Past NYU

Farmingdale State - 59, NYU - 50

New York, N.Y. - The Farmingdale State women's basketball team defeated non-conference opponent New York University, 59-50, last night handing the Violets their first loss of the season. The Rams improved to 3-2 overall, while NYU dropped to 4-1.

NYU held an early 6-4 lead before Farmingdale State went on a 17-0 run that spanned nearly nine minutes. The Rams held the Violets scoreless until freshman forward Kelly Loughney (Clinton, N.J./Hunterdon) scored on a layup, cutting Farmingdale's lead to 21-8 with 5:37 remaining in the first half. NYU cut the deficit to 25-19 with 2:30 to play, before sophomore guard Nikita Green (Roosevelt, N.Y./Roosevelt) hit a three-pointer and Juanita Chappel (Brooklyn, N.Y./Grand Street Campus) made a layup to close out the half and give Farmingdale State a 30-19 advantage at the break. The Rams held the Violets to a 28% field goal percentage.

Farmingdale State extended their lead to 17, the largest of the game, midway through the second half as Green converted three free-throws after being fouled on a three-point shot. The Rams maintained a double digit advantage until the final minutes of the contest as they defeated NYU 59-50.

Green scored a team-high 17 points and had five rebounds and four assists, while junior guard Shemique Hooks (Westbury, N.Y./Westbury) pitched in scoring 10 for Farmingdale. Junior forward Natasha Smalls (Harlem, N.Y./St. Michael Academy) had a game-high 14 rebounds and four steals.

Sophomore guard Maggie Ely (Hillsdale, N.J./Pascack Valley) of NYU, led all scorers with 18 and senior guard Chelsea Blake (Hamden, Conn./Hamden) added 12 points, shooting 50% from the field.

The Rams next will face Skyline opponent NYU-Poly in Farmingdale State's home opener on Thursday, December 9th at 6:00 p.m.

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