Women's Basketball News

Rulon repeats as national leader
in Division III blocked shots

CAMDEN - Rutgers University-Camden senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) was officially named the national leader in blocked shots for the second straight season when the NCAA released its final Division III women's basketball statistics for the 2005-06 season.

Rulon, who set single-season and career program records with 136 and 347 blocks, respectively, averaged 6.2 blocks per game as a senior to easily lead the nation over runnerup Liz Hickey of Mary Washington, who averaged 4.5.

Rulon becomes the first player to earn back-to-back Division III titles as the blocked shots leader since Cori Carson of Marymount (VA) during the 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons. Rulon, who led the country in blocks as a junior, averaging 4.2 per game, and Carson are the only two Division III players to earn back-to-back titles in blocked shots per game since the NCAA started keeping that statistic in 1993.

Megan Rulon

Rulon capped her senior season with a program-record 136 blocks, breaking Byrd's old single-season mark of 134 set during the 1996-97 season. Rulon's total of 136 blocks was the seventh-highest single-season mark in NCAA Division III history and her average of 6.2 blocks per game tied for the third-highest season mark in Div. III history.

Named All-New Jersey Athletic Conference Honorable Mention as a senior and a sophomore, Rulon led the NJAC in blocked shots and scoring (16.0 ppg) this season. She placed third in rebounding (11.3 rpg), was second in field goal percentage (.514), third in offensive rebounds (3.82) and first in defensive rebounds (7.45). She also averaged 34.36 minutes per game, third in the NJAC.

In addition to leading the nation in blocked shots, Rulon finished 16th in rebounding and 57th in field goal percentage. Led by Rulon, the Lady Raptors finished fourth nationally in blocked shots per game as a team (6.6).

Rulon's brilliant senior season included NJAC Player of the Week honors on Nov. 21, Dec. 12 and Jan. 2. She won ECAC Metro Player of the Week honors on Dec. 13 and Jan. 3, and was a member of the d3hoops.com Team of the Week on Jan. 4. She also was a member of the all-tournament team at the Jim Crawley Classic (Nov. 18-19) and the South Padre Island Shootout (Dec. 28-29).

Rulon established career highs of 39 points and 11 blocks (at Valley Forge Christian College Nov. 28, 2005) and 20 rebounds (against Concordia in Texas, Dec. 28, 2005). Her 39 points tied for the fifth-highest single-game total in program history, while her 11 blocks tied for the single-game record set by Byrd against Rutgers-Newark (Jan. 20, 1996) and tied by Quan Luck against William Paterson (Jan. 31, 1998).

For the season, Rulon had a trio of triple-doubles, coming in that game at Valley Forge Christian (39 points, 19 rebounds, 11 blocks), against Concordia (18 points, 20 rebounds, 10 blocks) and against New Jersey City University Feb. 15, 2006 (12 points, 14 rebounds, 10 blocks).

A Sociology major at Rutgers-Camden, Megan is the daughter of Wayne and Jamie Rulon of Sewell.

In addition to Rulon, the Lady Raptors' sophomore guard Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) finished fourth nationally in steals per game (4.4), only seven-tenths behind national leader Latrese McNair of NJAC rival New Jersey City University.

Hafiz collected 105 steals for the third-highest single-season mark in program history, one behind second-place Tamara Carey (1994-95). In two years, Hafiz already has notched 169 steals, fifth on the career list and nearly half-way to Carey's career mark of 345.

Led by Hafiz, the Lady Raptors finished 36th nationally in steals per game as a team (12.9).

Another Lady Raptor sophomore guard, Krystal Jankowski (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) finished 98th nationally with 4.0 assists per game. With 96 assists on the season, Jankowski barely missed becoming the eighth player in program history to reach 100 assists in one season.

On the men's side, Rutgers-Camden freshman guard Wayne Smalls (Camden, NJ/Medical Arts) finished 24th nationally in free throw percentage, hitting 78 of 89 shots for an 87.6 percent success rate. That mark also broke the program record of 83.5 percent by current assistant coach Brian Turner, set during the 2001-02 season.

The national co-leaders in free throw percentage were Tony Bollier of Wheaton (Illinois) and Matt Secrease of Hendrix, each averaging 92.9.

Led by Smalls, the Scarlet Raptors finished 87th nationally in team free-throw percentage (71.0).

Rutgers-Camden junior guard Dane Nicholson (Pleasantville, NJ/Holy Spirit) also ranked among the national leaders, averaging 2.3 steals per game to place 69th. The national leader was Quameir Harding of NJAC rival Ramapo, who average 4.0 steals per game.

(Courtesy of Ira Thor, NJCU Sports Information Director)

JERSEY CITY - The New Jersey Athletic Conference senior women led from start to finish, and received team-highs of 12 points and seven assists from NJAC Most Valuable Player Alexa Shields (Oakhurst, NJ/Wall) of The College of New Jersey, as the NJAC defeated the Skyline Conference senior women, 68-60, in the 2006 NJAC/Skyline Women's Basketball Senior game, hosted by New Jersey City University at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center March 22.

It was the first-ever season-ending senior challenge between the NJAC and Skyline conferences. The NJAC is now 4-1 all-time in senior games, after winning 3-of-4 in the previous series with the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC).

Jenna Gambino (Staten Island, NY/St. John Villa Academy) of Stevens Institute of Technology was selected the Skyline's Most Valuable Player after pouring in exactly one-third of her squad's point, finishing with a game 20 points, including five three-pointers (5-9), along with seven rebounds and four blocks.

Shields shot 4-of-6 from the field, with all baskets coming from three-point range, while adding the game-high seven assists, with six rebounds in 20 minutes.

Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) of Rutgers University-Camden added 10 points (5-12) and five rebounds. All 11 players on the NJAC roster scored. Camden's Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) had eight rebounds, six points, and a game-high five blocks, while the Lady Raptors' Tanishia Greene (Georgetown, SC/Georgetown) notched two points, one rebound, one assist and a game-high four steals.

The NJAC women's basketball all-star team, including Rutgers-Camden's Megan Rulon and Tanishia Greene (first row, first two players on left) and Carmen Zimmitt (first row, second from right).

The Skyline Conference received 11 points (5-14 FG), nine rebounds and three assists from Centenary College's Lenaya Price (Jersey City, NJ/Ferris). Mount Saint Mary College's Kellie Stuart (Massapequa Park, NY/Massapequa) and Farmingdale State University's Nicole Judkins (Fort Drum, NY/Indian Rivier) each contributed nine points. All eight Skyline players registered at least one point.

Also for the Skyline, FSU's Angela Williams (New York, NY/Murry Bergtraum) collected nine rebounds and three blocks, while MSMC's Stacy Schultz (Valley Stream, NY/Valley Stream Central) had eight boards. Laura Bucci (Irvington, NY/Our Lady of Victory) of the College of Mount Saint Vincent dished six assists.

The NJAC led 32-28 at the half before extending that margin to as many as 17 at 6:12 of the second period (63-46). After the Skyline cut the lead to 32-31 to open the second half, a 10-0 run by the NJAC seniors opened up a 42-31, 11-point cushion.

The NJAC shot 37.0 percent from the field (30-81), while the Skyline seniors shot 30.3 percent (23-76). The NJAC more than doubled the Skyline's paint production, 30-14, and held a 59-48 difference in rebounding.

CAMDEN - Rutgers University-Camden senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) was named All-New Jersey Athletic Conference Honorable Mention when the NJAC's women's basketball all-star teams were announced Feb. 24.

Rulon, who also was an All-NJAC Honorable Mention player as a sophomore during the 2003-04 season, finished her senior year leading the NJAC in both scoring (16.0 ppg) and blocked shots (6.18 bpg), while placing third in rebounding (11.3 rpg). She was second in field goal percentage (.514), third in offensive rebounds (3.82) and first in defensive rebounds (7.45). She also averaged 34.36 minutes per game, third in the NJAC.

Once the final NCAA statistics are announced, Rulon should become the first player to earn back-to-back Division III titles as the blocked shot leader since Cori Carson of Marymount (VA) during the 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons. She led the country in blocks as a junior, averaging 4.2 per game.

One of only four players in Rutgers-Camden women's basketball history to pass both 800 rebounds and 1,200 points, Rulon finished her career with 1,220 points (sixth on the career chart) and 817 rebounds (fifth). She also shattered the old program record for blocked shots (291 by Kamilah Byrd from 1993-97) and finished her four-year career with 347 blocks, the seventh-highest total in Division III history. Rulon's average of 3.7 blocks per game tied her for ninth on the NCAA career charts.

Rulon capped her senior season with a program-record 136 blocks, breaking Byrd's old single-season mark of 134 set during the 1996-97 season. Rulon's total of 136 blocks was the seventh-highest single-season mark in NCAA Division III history and her average of 6.2 blocks per game tied for the third-highest season mark in Div. III history.

Rulon's brilliant senior season included NJAC Player of the Week honors on Nov. 21, Dec. 12 and Jan. 2. She won ECAC Metro Player of the Week honors on Dec. 13 and Jan. 3, and was a member of the d3hoops.com Team of the Week on Jan. 4. She also was a member of the all-tournament team at the Jim Crawley Classic (Nov. 18-19) and the South Padre Island Shootout (Dec. 28-29).

Rulon established career highs of 39 points and 11 blocks (at Valley Forge Christian College Nov. 28, 2005) and 20 rebounds (against Concordia in Texas, Dec. 28, 2005). Her 39 points tied for the fifth-highest single-game total in program history, while her 11 blocks tied for the single-game record set by Byrd against Rutgers-Newark (Jan. 20, 1996) and tied by Quan Luck against William Paterson (Jan. 31, 1998).

For the season, Rulon had a trio of triple-doubles, coming in that game at Valley Forge Christian (39 points, 19 rebounds, 11 blocks), against Concordia (18 points, 20 rebounds, 10 blocks) and against New Jersey City University Feb. 15, 2006 (12 points, 14 rebounds, 10 blocks).

A Sociology major at Rutgers-Camden, Megan is the daughter of Wayne and Jamie Rulon of Sewell.

CAMDEN - Sophomore guard Michelle Pellichero (Milltown, NJ/Bishop Ahr) collected game-high totals of 17 points, five assists and four three-pointers (in five attempts) to power the William Paterson University women's basketball team over Rutgers University-Camden, 67-50, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Feb. 18.

William Paterson, which will compete in the NJAC playoffs as the fourth seed, improves to 15-10 overall with its fifth straight win. The Pioneers, 11-7 in the NJAC, will host No. 5 Kean University Monday at 7 p.m.

Rutgers-Camden closes its season at 6-19 overall and 2-16 in the NJAC. The Raptors have lost six straight games against Paterson, which leads the all-time series, 37-9.

The game also served as Senior Day for a trio of players who competed for four years on the Lady Raptors: Tanishia Greene (Georgetown, SC), Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) and Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown).

Using a full-court press, the Pioneers forced the Lady Raptors into 20 first-half turnovers on their way to a 32-24 lead. Rutgers-Camden's lone lead came on the first basket of the game by Zimmitt. Paterson followed with an 8-0 run, capped by a jumper and a pair of foul shots from freshman center Barrie Quick (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough).

By halftime, Pellichero had 11 points for the Pioneers, while Quick had six. For Rutgers-Camden, Rulon had seven first-half points and a pair of blocks to give her 135 on the season, passing the old single-season mark of 134 by Kamilah Byrd (1996-97).

The Lady Raptors opened the second half with a 10-2 run, which included four points from Zimmitt, as they forged into a 34-34 tie. Paterson, however, took the lead for good, deflating the Raptors' momentum on a pair of three-pointers by junior guard Luci Custis (Roselle, NJ/Abraham Clark) and Pellichero, making it a 40-34 game. The Raptors never came closer than four points the rest of the way.

In addition to Pellichero's 17 points, Quick notched 14 points and seven rebounds and Luci Custis had 12 points and a game-high five steals. Freshman forward Asia Johnson (Wildwood, NJ/Wildwood) collected a game-high nine rebounds for Paterson.

For Rutgers-Camden, Rulon and sophomore guard Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) each had 10 points. Rulon added six rebounds and three blocked shots as she finished her year with a single-season program record of 136 blocks, the seventh-highest season total in NCAA Div. III history. She also finished with an average of 6.2 blocks per game, tied for the third-best mark in Div. III history.

Rulon, who passed Byrd's career mark for blocks (291) earlier in the season, finished her career with 347 blocked shots, the seventh-highest total in Division III history. Her average of 3.7 blocks per game tied her for ninth on the NCAA career charts.

Once the final NCAA statistics are announced, Rulon should become the first player to earn back-to-back Division III titles as the blocked shot leader since Cori Carson of Marymount (VA) during the 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons.

One of only four players in Rutgers-Camden women's basketball history to pass both 800 rebounds and 1,200 points, Rulon finished her career with 1,220 points (sixth on the career chart) and 817 rebounds (fifth).

Hafiz, who on Wednesday became only the third Lady Raptor to notch over 100 steals in one season, added one steal to finish with 105 for the season, one shy of the program's second-best mark of 106 by Tamara Carey (1994-95). The record is 142 steals by Cheryl Kulesa (2002-03).

Junior guard Jessica Hull (Sicklerville, NJ/Fairton Christian Center and Academy) tied her career high with six rebounds for the Raptors.

CAMDEN - Senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) collected her third triple-double of the season with 12 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocked shots to lead the Rutgers University-Camden women's basketball team over New Jersey City University, 64-51, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Feb. 15.

The Scarlet Raptors raised their record to 6-18 overall and 2-15 in the NJAC, snapping a five-game losing streak and earning a split of the season series against the Gothic Knights. NJCU falls to 10-13 and 5-12 with its third straight loss as its chance

With her big night, Rulon passed a pair of career milestones, raising her totals to 811 rebounds and 1,210 points, becoming only the fourth player in Rutgers-Camden women's basketball history to pass both 800 rebounds and 1,200 points. Rulon also raised her single-season total to 133 blocks, second on the program's single-season charts to the record 134 set by Kamilah Byrd (1996-97). Rulon, who earlier in the year passed Byrd's old career standard of 291 blocks, lifted her school record to 344. She has one game remaining - Saturday at home against William Paterson University (1 p.m.) - to break Byrd's single-season mark.

Lady Raptor sophomore guard Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) scored a game-high 20 points - two shy of her career record - and added five steals to become only the third Lady Raptor to notch over 100 steals in one season. The record is 142 by Cheryl Kulesa (2002-03), but Hafiz now owns 104 steals this year and is on the verge of passing the second-place total of 106 by Tamara Carey (1994-95) in the Raptors' last game Saturday.

The Lady Raptors held a 32-29 halftime lead in a first half which featured five lead changes and four ties. Hafiz paced the Raptors- first-half effort with 10 points, while senior guard/forward Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown), playing in her 101st career game (second all-time), added seven. For NJCU, sophomore guard/forward Arnese Goodman (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) had 11 first-half points.

Hafiz scored the Raptors' first eight points of the second half as they went on an 8-2 run to break the game open.

For Rutgers-Camden, freshman guard Melissa Whitten (Gloucester City, NJ/Gloucester City) collected 11 points and Zimmitt added 10 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore guard Krystal Jankowski (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) had a game-high seven assists and added six points and 10 rebounds.

For NJCU, junior guard Latrese McNair (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth) scored 19 points and added four steals, while Goodman finished with 13 points and six rebounds. Freshman center Kelly Wilson (Jersey City, NJ/Hudson County Prep) had 11 rebounds, six points and four steals.

Senior center/forward Megan Kabba (Newark, NJ/Arts) added four points while playing in her career-record 99th game at NJCU. She will become the first player in NJCU history to reach 100 games played in her career when the Gothic Knights play a 3 p.m. game at The College of New Jersey Saturday.

UNION - Junior forward Chi Clark (Maplewood, NJ/Columbia) scored 18 points and added nine rebounds to lead the Kean University women's basketball team over Rutgers University-Camden, 74-54, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Feb. 11.

Kean improves to 14-9 overall and 9-7 in the NJAC, while Rutgers-Camden falls to 5-18 and 1-15.

The Cougars took a 31-29 halftime lead in a tight first half which saw the teams trade the lead three times. Kean opened the second half with a 14-0 run to put the game away, taking a 45-29 lead. During that run, freshman guard Ebony Jackson (Newark, NJ/Malcolm X Shabazz) scored six points, while freshman guard Melissa Beyruti (Union City, NJ/Union Hill) added four.

For the game, Beyruti finished with 17 points, while Jackson added 14 points, three assists and three steals. Sophomore center Chari' Cooper (Paulsboro, NJ/Paulsboro) collected 14 rebounds and a career-high six steals for Kean.

For the Lady Raptors, senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) barely missed a triple-double, collecting game-high totals of 16 rebounds, 20 points and nine blocked shots. She raised her single-season total to 123 blocks, moving into second place on the program's single-season charts, 11 shy of the record 134 set by Kamilah Byrd (1996-97). Rulon, who earlier in the year passed Byrd's old career standard of 291 blocks, raised her school record to 334. She has two games remaining to get the 11 blocks needed to tie Byrd's single-season mark.

In addition to Rulon's output, sophomore guard Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) had 11 points and tied Kean's Cooper with a game-high six steals. The six steals gave Hafiz 99 for the season, putting her on the threshold of becoming only the third Lady Raptor to ever notch 100 steals in one season. The record is 142 by Cheryl Kulesa (2002-03), but Hafiz should pass the second-place total of 106 by Tamara Carey (1994-95) in her last two games.

The contest marked the 100th career game for Raptor senior guard Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown), who became only the second player in program history to hit the century mark in games played. The program record is 104 games by Carey (1991-95).

The game also saw an end to the season-long streak of consecutive foul shots by Rutgers-Camden sophomore guard Miriam Lindemann (Cherry Hill, NJ/Akiba Hebrew Academy, PA). Lindemann had made all 15 of her foul shots this season before going 0-for-2 from the line Saturday.

The Lady Raptors return to NJAC action Wednesday with a 6 p.m. home game against New Jersey City University. The Cougars play a 5:30 p.m. NJAC game Wednesday at Rutgers-Newark.

CAMDEN - The Richard Stockton College women's basketball team, which entered the game 43rd nationally in scoring defense (54.1 ppg), held Rutgers University-Camden to 22.0 percent shooting (11-for-50) from the floor as the Ospreys defeated the Lady Raptors, 58-28, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Feb. 8.

Conference-leading Richard Stockton raised its record to 18-4 overall and 13-2 in NJAC play with its second straight win. Rutgers-Camden fell to 5-17 and 1-14 with its fourth consecutive loss. Stockton has won its last seven games against Rutgers-Camden.

In a slow first half with two lead changes, Stockton held a 6-5 lead midway into the half. The Ospreys built their margin to 14-11 before running off the last 12 points of the half to take a 26-11 margin into the locker room. Senior guard Danielle Walder (Jobstown, NJ/Northern Burlington) collected seven first-half points for the Ospreys, while freshman guard Linette Johnson (Lakewood, NJ/Lakewood) had seven rebounds. For Rutgers-Camden, senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) and senior guard Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) each had four first-half points.

The contest marked the 99th career game for Zimmitt, who will become only the second player in program history to play in 100 games when the Lady Raptors play a 1 p.m. game at Kean University Saturday. The program record is 104 games by Tamara Carey (1991-95).

Walder finished with a game-high 14 points, while junior guard Jenna Shenk (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Bishop Eustace) added 12 for the Ospreys. Stockton, which held a commanding 60-34 advantage off the boards, received 12 rebounds from junior forward Alicia Morris (Easthampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley), while junior forward Jacki Crocker (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) added 11 boards.

Sophomore guard Jessica Rainey (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) collected a game-high five assists and tied for game-high honors with four steals. She also added eight rebounds, three blocked shots and five points for the Ospreys.

For the Lady Raptors, Zimmitt finished with a team-high 12 points, while sophomore guards Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) and Krystal Jankowski (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) each collected six rebounds. Jankowski added four assists, while Hafiz had four steals and Rulon blocked five shots.

MONTCLAIR - Junior forward Stephanie Machin (New Providence, NJ/New Providence) scored 18 points and added eight rebounds as the Montclair State women's basketball team defeated Rutgers University-Camden, 73-53, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Feb. 4.

The Red Hawks raised their record to 14-7 overall and 11-3 in the NJAC. The Lady Raptors fell to 5-16 and 1-13 with their third straight loss.

Rutgers-Camden jumped out to a 5-0 lead and held an 11-6 edge after freshman guard Melissa Whitten (Gloucester City, NJ/Gloucester City) hit a three-pointer with 13:30 remaining in the first half. Montclair State, however, bounced back with a 10-0 run to take the lead, and held a 28-23 edge at halftime.

Rutgers-Camden had a 9-3 run early in the second half, capped by a three-pointer from sophomore guard Miriam Lindemann (Cherry Hill, NJ/Akiba Hebrew Academy, PA) to tie the game at 32-32 with 16:48 remaining. The Red Hawks responded with an 11-0 run, sparked by a three-pointer from sophomore guard Jessica Horan (West Haverstraw, NY/North Rockland) to take the lead for good.

The Raptors only managed to pull within nine points the rest of the way.

Junior forward Ferin Catlett (Lawnside, NJ/Haddon Heights) contributed 11 points to the Montclair State win, while blocking a pair of shots. Sophomore guard Jessica Garrabrant (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls) had a game-high 11 rebounds.

For Rutgers-Camden, senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) notched 14 points, six rebounds and a game-high eight blocked shots, giving her 109 for the season, the third-highest season total in program history. She already is the career leader in blocked shots, stretching her mark to 320.

Sophomore guard Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) had 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and a game-high seven steals, giving her 89 steals on the year. She is 11 shy of becoming only the third Lady Raptor to reach 100 steals in one season.

Senior guard Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) collected 10 rebounds for the Lady Raptors while playing in her 98th career game. She should become only the second player in program history to reach the century mark in games played next Saturday at Kean University.

Zimmitt also went 2-for-5 from the foul line as her streak of 15 consecutive foul shots came to an end. Lindemann, meanwhile, scored 11 points and went 2-for-2 from the line as she stretched her season-long perfect mark from the charity stripe to 15-for-15.

The Lady Raptors return to NJAC action when they host Richard Stockton College at 6 p.m. Wednesday. MSU plays a 6 p.m. conference game at New Jersey City University that same day.

CAMDEN - Senior guard Alexa Shields (Oakhurst, NJ/Wall) scored 12 of her game-high 16 points in the opening half to power The College of New Jersey women's basketball team over Rutgers University-Camden, 79-50, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Feb. 1.

The Lions improve to 12-7 overall and 9-4 in the NJAC with their second consecutive victory and third win in four games. The Lady Raptors fall to 5-15 and 1-12 with their eighth loss in nine outings.

TCNJ has won five straight games against Rutgers-Camden and holds a 37-7 lead in the all-time series.

TCNJ never trailed in a game that was tied only once, at 2-2. The Lions broke that deadlock on a three-pointer by junior guard Megan Hueter (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights) and opened up a 34-21 lead by halftime. TCNJ received 12 first-half points from Shields, while senior center Danica Miller (Rutherford, NJ/Rutherford) had eight. For the Lady Raptors, freshman center Crystal Pezzano (Brockton, MA/Brockton) had six points in the opening half.

Shields finished with 16 points, while Miller canned 14 and junior guard Margo Buchalski (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) added 12 for the Lions. TCNJ shot 49.3 percent (34-for-69) from the field, including 50 percent (10-for-20) from three-point range.

Miller and junior forward Breanne Depken (Oradell, NJ/River Dell Regional) each had seven rebounds to pace the Lions, who held a 42-31 advantage off the boards.

For Rutgers-Camden, Pezzano finished with 14 points, while freshman guard Melissa Whitten (Gloucester, NJ/Gloucester) added 10. Pezzano also had a game-high eight rebounds.

TCNJ senior guard Tiara Simpkins (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) and Rutgers-Camden sophomore guard Krystal Jankowski (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) each had a game-high five assists. TCNJ's Depken notched a game-high five steals.

Both teams return to NJAC action Saturday. The Lady Raptors play a 4 p.m. game at Montclair State University, while the Lions host Ramapo College at 6 p.m.

MAHWAH - The Ramapo College women's basketball team scored the first 12 points of the game and went on to defeat Rutgers University-Camden, 66-40, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Jan. 28.

The Roadrunners, who improve to 7-11 overall and 3-9 in the NJAC, saw sophomore center Alison Beller (Morris Plains, NJ/Morristown) score four points in the early 12-0 run. She finished with 12 points, tying freshman teammate Erica Maclin (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck) for game-high honors.

Rutgers-Camden finally broke its scoreless drought on a jumper by sophomore guard Krystal Jankowski (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) four minutes into the game. After Ramapo built its lead to 13 points, at 21-8, the Lady Raptors whittled the margin to 29-25 with a 17-8 run before halftime. Senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) had four points in the Raptors' run, and collected all five of her blocked shots in the first half, raising her program-record career total to 312.

Jankowski had eight points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals in the opening half for the Lady Raptors. Beller collected 10 points and seven rebounds for the Roadrunners in the first 20 minutes.

Ramapo pulled away in the second half after building its lead to 39-32 with 11 minutes remaining. The Roadrunners went on a 27-8 run to finish the game, highlighted by a pair of Maclin three-pointers.

In addition to 12 points apiece from Maclin and Beller, Ramapo received 10 points from junior guard Keona Palmer (Port Reading, NJ/Woodbridge). Beller grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds, while sophomore guard Natasha Gross (Glen Rock, NJ/Glen Rock) had nine steals.

For the Raptors, Jankowski had 10 points, seven rebounds, eight steals and five assists.

Rulon finished with nine points, 10 rebounds and five blocks as she continued her climb up the program's all-time charts. The nine points lifted Rulon past Maureen McGovern (1,154 points from 1994-99) and into fifth place on the career scoring chart. Rulon, who now has 1,155 points, moved past McGovern on a layup with four minutes remaining. Rulon's 10 rebounds also moved her past Kate Cranston (761 rebounds from 1997-2001) and into fifth place on the career charts with 770 boards.

Rutgers-Camden, which falls to 5-14 overall and 1-11 in the NJAC, also received eight points from junior forward Karen Carter (Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken).

Ramapo hosts The College of Staten Island in a 7 p.m. non-conference game Monday. The Lady Raptors return to action Wednesday when they entertain The College of New Jersey in a 6 p.m. NJAC game.

CAMDEN - Rutgers University-Camden senior guard Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) scored 16 of her game-high 22 points in the second half to lead the Lady Raptors to their first New Jersey Athletic Conference victory of the season with a 71-60 win over Rowan University here Jan. 25.

Rutgers-Camden improves to 5-13 overall and 1-10 in the NJAC, snapping a six-game losing streak. Rowan falls to 4-13 and 2-9 with its fourth straight loss.

The victory snaps Rowan's four-game winning streak in the series. It was the first Rutgers-Camden win over Rowan since a 70-49 victory in Glassboro on Feb. 20, 2003. The Profs lead the all-time series, 35-10.

Rutgers-Camden led by as many as 10 points, 20-10, in the first half before Rowan fought back, taking a short-lived 29-28 lead on a jumper by sophomore guard Nicole Jones (Lawnside, NJ/Haddon Heights) near the end of the half. Rutgers-Camden regained the lead on a basket by senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional), taking a 30-29 edge into halftime.

Jones gave the Profs their last lead of the game at 33-32 before Rutgers-Camden sophomore guard Krystal Jankowski (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) put the Raptors ahead to stay, 34-33, sparking a 10-point run.

Rulon finished with a double-double of 19 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, while adding a game-high eight blocked shots. Her first block of the night was the 300th of her career, and she went on to increase her career-high total to 307 blocks.

Zimmitt finished two points shy of her career high, accomplished against Ramapo College (Dec. 3, 2005). She also collected four steals, tying Jankowski and sophomore guard Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) for game-high honors. Zimmitt's 22 points give her 721 for her career, lifting her over the 700-point plateau.

Hafiz and Jankowski notched 12 points apiece and Jankowski added a career-high 11 assists to record a double-double.

For the Profs, senior guard Sheemea Carr (Glassboro, NJ/Glassboro) notched 15 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals. Sophomore center Katie Shaw (Wallington, NJ/Wallington) added 13 points, while junior forward Lauren Byrne (Paulsboro, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) had a team-high 10 rebounds.

Both teams play NJAC road games on Saturday. Rutgers-Camden has a 1 p.m. contest at Ramapo College, while Rowan visits New Jersey City University for a 5 p.m. game.

CAMDEN - Sophomore forward Toni Roselli (Garfield, NJ/St. Mary's) scored 11 of her team-high 14 points in the first half to spark the Rutgers-Newark women's basketball team to an 18-point halftime lead and the Scarlet Raiders went on to defeat sister school Rutgers-Camden, 59-47, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Jan 21.

The Scarlet Raiders improve to 11-5 overall and 6-4 in the NJAC with their fifth win in six games. The Scarlet Raptors, who have lost six straight, fall to 4-13 and 0-10.

Rutgers-Newark, which posted a 57-51 victory over Rutgers-Camden earlier in the season (Dec. 10 in Newark), has won the last four games of the series between the sister schools.

After Rutgers-Camden grabbed a quick 4-0 lead, the Scarlet Raiders scored the next six points, sparked by a pair of foul shots and a layup from freshman guard Younger Kehleay (Eatontown, NJ/Monmouth Regional). The Raptors tied the game at 6-6 before a foul shot by Rutgers-Newark's senior center Christyal Anderson (Newark, NJ/University) put the Raiders ahead to stay, 7-6. That shot started a 25-7 run for Rutgers-Newark, which took a 31-13 lead into halftime.

By halftime, Roselli had 11 points, including three three-pointers in four attempts. Anderson added seven points in the opening half.

Rutgers-Camden rallied to within seven points in the second half, 50-43, before Rutgers-Newark scored the next eight points to secure the victory.

In addition to 14 points from Roselli, the Scarlet Raiders had 11-point efforts from both Anderson and sophomore guard Nerlande Nicolas (Maplewood, NJ/Columbia).

Rutgers-Newark shot 41.7 percent from the field (20-for-48), including 45.5 percent (5-for-11) from three-point range. Roselli had four of those treys in six attempts.

Rutgers-Camden shot only 36.0 (18-for-50) overall and 16.7 (1-for-6) from three-point range.

For the Raptors, sophomore guard Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) collected 13 points and a game-high five steals, while senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) had nine points, eight rebounds and a game-high three blocked shots, raising her career total in blocks to 299. She is the program's all-time leader in blocks, having passed Kamilah Byrd's mark of 291 on Wednesday night at William Paterson University.

Senior guard Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) added eight points as she hiked her career total to 699, one shy of the 700-point plateau.

Rutgers-Newark returns to action Monday with a 6 p.m. non-conference game at Hunter College. Rutgers-Camden hosts NJAC rival Rowan University at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

WAYNE - Senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) had a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds and added six blocked shots to set the Rutgers University-Camden women's basketball career record for blocks, but William Paterson University rallied to defeat the Lady Raptors, 59-53, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Jan. 18.

Rulon's blocks gave her 296 for her career, breaking the program record of 291 held by Kamilah Byrd (1993-97).

Rulon, who had game-high totals in rebounds, points and blocks, also moved into seventh place on the all-time program scoring list, hiking her total to 1,118 points. She passed both Nelly Cruz (1,113 from 1988-91) and Tara Harris (1,117 from 1984-88). Directly ahead of Rulon is Maureen McGovern, who collected 1,154 points from 1994-99.

Despite a night of milestones, the Lady Raptors dropped their fifth consecutive game to fall to 4-12 overall and 0-9 in the NJAC. William Paterson improves to 10-6 and 6-3 with its fourth straight win and sixth victory in seven games.

Junior forward Alima Williams (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) was the sparkplug for the Pioneers, scoring nine of her 13 points in the final 3:34. Williams also finished with seven rebounds and two assists.

Sophomore guard Janell Fabor (Clifton, NJ/Paterson Catholic) notched her first career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while adding a game-high six steals.

Rutgers-Camden held a 26-23 halftime lead and hiked its margin to 35-29 before Paterson roared back with a 13-3 run, sparked by junior guard Luci Custis (Roselle, NJ/Abraham Clark). Custis scored seven of her nine points in the run as the Pioneers took the lead for good. She also finished with seven rebounds and three steals.

Trailing, 19-12, the Lady Raptors finished the first half with a 14-4 run to take their halftime lead. Sophomore guard Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) had eight points during that stretch and finished with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds. She also added four assists, three steals and one blocked shot. It was the second consecutive double-double for Hafiz and the third of her career.

The Lady Raptors also received a double-double from senior guard Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown), who collected 10 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and one assist. She raised her career scoring output to 691 points and her career steals to 165, fourth on the program's list.

The Lady Raptors return to action Saturday when they host sister school Rutgers-Newark in a 1 p.m. NJAC game.

CAMDEN - The Kean University women's basketball team placed four players in double figures, sparked by a double-double from sophomore forward Kimberly Smith (Burlington Township, NJ/Burlington Township), and went on to outlast Rutgers University-Camden, 72-63, in New Jersey Athletic Conference action here Jan. 14.

Kean, which snapped a two-game losing streak, improves to 11-4 overall and 6-2 in the NJAC. Rutgers-Camden falls to 4-11 and 0-8 with its fourth straight loss.

The Cougars own a 27-17 lead in the all-time series, which started during the 1982-83 season.

In a first half which featured nine lead changes, Kean built a 23-16 edge before Rutgers-Camden bounced back on the strong inside play of junior forward Karen Carter (Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken). Carter, who scored a team-high nine points in the half, gave the Raptors a 25-23 lead with 3:51 remaining before Kean rallied to take a 31-28 halftime lead. The Cougars took the lead, 28-27, on a putback by sophomore guard Nina Oshiokpekhai (Hillside, NJ/Mother Seton Regional), who added a three-pointer moments later.

Smith had nine first-half points for the Cougars.

The Raptors never recovered in the second half as Kean went on a 10-2 run shortly into the half. The run was sparked by junior guard Francine Bell (Orange, NJ/West Side), who scored eight points and added an assist in the run on her way to a game-high 16 points.

Smith finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds for her double-double, while Oshiokpekhai scored 14 and junior forward Chi Clark (Maplewood, NJ/Columbia) added 10. Sophomore center Chari' Cooper (Paulsboro, NJ/Paulsboro), who entered the week second in the nation in rebounding with an average of 13.0, collected a game-high 15 rebounds, while adding eight points and three blocked shots.

For the Lady Raptors, sophomore guard Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) collected a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds, while adding a game-high six steals. Sophomore guard Krystal Jankowski (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) had a team-high 15 points, while senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) notched 12 rebounds, eight points and a game-high eight blocked shots. Rulon's blocks give her 290 for her career, one shy of the program record held by Kamilah Byrd (1993-97).

Both teams return to NJAC action with road games Wednesday, Jan. 18. Kean visits Montclair State for a 6 p.m. game, while Rutgers-Camden is at William Paterson for an 8 p.m. contest.

JERSEY CITY - The New Jersey City University women's basketball team rallied from an 11-point second-half deficit and went on to defeat Rutgers University-Camden, 65-56, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Jan. 11.

The Gothic Knights improve to 6-6 overall and 2-5 in the NJAC, while Rutgers-Camden falls to 4-10 and 0-7 with its third consecutive defeat.

The Lady Raptors built a 27-22 halftime lead and increased the margin to 33-22 by scoring the first six points of the second half. The Raptors also held a 39-28 lead with 16:21 remaining before NJCU mounted its comeback.

The Gothic Knights scored 13 of the next 15 points to tie the game at 41-41. After Rutgers-Camden rebounded with four points to grab a 45-41 advantage, NJCU scored eight straight points to take the lead for good, 49-45. Junior point guard Latrese McNair (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth) and senior forward Megan Kabba (Newark, NJ/Arts) each scored four points in that run for the Gothic Knights.

McNair collected a game-high 19 points, six assists and 12 steals. The 12 steals tied her career high.

McNair went 9-for-18 from the field and scored eight of NJCU's final 20 points.

Sophomore center Tiffany Boyd (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) collected a double-double with 10 points and a career-high 13 rebounds for the Gothic Knights, while adding five assists and four blocked shots. Kabba had 13 points, four assists and two blocks.

Although Rutgers-Camden held a 45-38 advantage in rebounds, the Gothic Knights shot 47.5 percent (29-for-61) and blocked 14 shots, holding the Lady Raptors to 31.4-percent shooting (22-for-70). Rutgers-Camden also had 26 turnovers to NJCU's 22.

Neither team hit a three-pointer in the game.

For the Raptors, senior guard Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) and senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) each collected double-doubles, including 11 rebounds apiece. Zimmitt had 18 points, while Rulon added 16 points, four assists and a game-high five blocks.

Sophomore guard Krystal Jankowski (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) notched 11 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals, while sophomore guard Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) added nine points, five rebounds and eight steals.

The Lady Raptors return to action Saturday when they host Kean University in a 1 p.m. NJAC game.

CAMDEN - It's been quite a week off the court for Rutgers University-Camden senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional).

Rulon captured her third honor of the week today when she was named as a member of the national d3hoops.com Team of the Week, which includes games over the holidays from Dec. 19-Jan. 2.

On Monday she earned her third New Jersey Athletic Conference Player of the Week this season, while on Tuesday she captured her second ECAC Metro Player of the Week honor this year.

Rulon's honors followed a brilliant performance at the South Padre Island (TX) Shootout Dec. 28-29. She scored 35 points (17.5 ppg) and added 31 rebounds (15.5) and 13 blocks (6.5) as the Lady Raptors split a pair of games in Texas. Rutgers-Camden lost to Concordia University at Austin (52-50, Dec. 28) and defeated Juniata College (58-51, Dec. 29). Overall she shot 14-for-28 (50 percent) from the field and 7-for-9 (77.8) from the foul line.

Rulon's performance earned her a berth on the all-tournament team at the South Padre Island Shootout. It was her second all-tourney berth of the year, following a spot on the Jim Crawley Classic team at Frostburg State University Nov. 18-19.

Against Concordia, Rulon collected game-high totals of 20 rebounds, 18 points and 10 blocked shots to record her second career triple-double. The first triple-double came earlier this season against Valley Forge Christian College (Nov. 28). Rulon's 20 rebounds set a career high, topping her previous mark of 19 in that Valley Forge Christian game.

In the win over Juniata, Rulon had game-high totals of 17 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. She also added two assists and two steals.

Rulon also was named NJAC Player of the Week on Nov. 21 and Dec. 12. She won her first ECAC Metro Player of the Week honor on Dec. 13.

In addition to her trio of weekly honors, Rulon also is prominently mentioned in the first NCAA Division III statistical rankings, which were released Wednesday. They include games through Jan. 1, and find Rulon leading the nation in blocked shots per game (6.2), fourth in rebounds per game (12.7), tied for 20th in points per game (20.1) and 38th in field goal percentage (.548).

Rulon, who led the nation during the 2004-05 season by averaging 4.2 blocked shots per game, is attempting to become the first person to repeat as national champion in that category since Marymount (VA) University's Cori Carson in 1996 and 1997.

Another Lady Raptor, sophomore guard Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) ranked 20th nationally in steals per game (3.6) in the first NCAA stats. Hafiz hiked that average to 4.25 Wednesday night when she set a program single-game record with 11 steals during a loss to Montclair State University.

For her career, Rulon owns 1,078 points (ninth on the Rutgers-Camden career charts), 703 rebounds (sixth) and 277 blocks (second, 14 shy of the program mark set by Kamilah Byrd from 1993-97).

Rutgers-Camden, 4-9, is idle until playing a 6 p.m. game Jan. 11 at New Jersey City University.

CAMDEN - The Montclair State University women's basketball team raced to a 30-13 halftime lead, paced by six points apiece from junior forward Stephanie Machin (New Providence, NJ/New Providence) and sophomore guard Jessica Horan (West Haverstraw, NY/North Rockland) and went on to defeat Rutgers University-Camden, 63-40, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Jan. 4.

The Red Hawks improve to 5-1 in the NJAC and 6-5 overall, snapping a two-game losing streak. Rutgers-Camden, which suffered its second straight loss, falls to 4-9 overall and 0-6 in the NJAC.

Montclair State has won five straight games in the series to grab a 25-15 all-time lead.

Montclair State received points from nine players in the first half and controlled the boards to a 27-17 tune, led by seven rebounds by Machin.

For Rutgers-Camden, sophomore guard Krystal Jankowski (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) scored six first-half points, while senior guard Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) had five rebounds in the first 20 minutes.

Sophomore guard Marissa Freeman (Old Bridge, NJ/Rutgers Prep) finished with 10 points in the game for the Red Hawks, who placed 11 players in the scoring column and 10 in the rebounding column as they held a 48-40 advantage off the boards. Horan finished with nine points for Montclair State.

The Red Hawks received eight rebounds apiece from Machin and sophomore guard Jessica Garrabrant (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls).

For Rutgers-Camden, Zimmitt notched a game-high 17 points, while Jankowski added 10. Zimmitt also had nine rebounds and Jankowski added eight. The Raptors' sophomore guard Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) collected a career-high 11 steals to set a single-game program record, topping the mark of 10 shared by Joy Silver (against William Paterson Feb. 6, 2002) and Jen Hans (against Old Westbury, Jan. 4, 1995). Hafiz passed her old career high of eight steals, accomplished twice.

Montclair State shot 43-6 percent (24-for-55) from the field while Rutgers-Camden shot only 18.3 (11-for-60) from the field and 51.6 (16-for-31) from the foul line.

Montclair State plays a 7 p.m. non-conference home game against King's College (PA) on Monday. The Lady Raptors return to action Wednesday, Jan. 11, with a 6 p.m. NJAC game at New Jersey City University.

CAMDEN - One day after capturing her third honor of the season as the New Jersey Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week, Rutgers University-Camden senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) was named as the ECAC Metro Player of the Week Jan. 3. It was the second ECAC Metro weekly honor of the season for the four-year starter.

Rulon's honors followed a brilliant performance at the South Padre Island (TX) Shootout Dec. 28-29.

Rulon scored 35 points (17.5 ppg) and added 31 rebounds (15.5) and 13 blocks (6.5) as the Lady Raptors split a pair of games in Texas. Rutgers-Camden lost to Concordia University at Austin (52-50, Dec. 28) and defeated Juniata College (58-51, Dec. 29). Overall she shot 14-for-28 (50 percent) from the field and 7-for-9 (77.8) from the foul line.

Rulon's performance earned her a berth on the all-tournament team at the South Padre Island Shootout. It was her second all-tourney berth of the year, following a spot on the Jim Crawley Classic team at Frostburg State University Nov. 18-19.

Against Concordia, Rulon collected game-high totals of 20 rebounds, 18 points and 10 blocked shots to record her second career triple-double. The first triple-double came earlier this season against Valley Forge Christian College (Nov. 28). Rulon's 20 rebounds set a career high, topping her previous mark of 19 in that Valley Forge Christian game.

In the win over Juniata, Rulon had game-high totals of 17 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. She also added two assists and two steals.

Rulon, who is averaging 20.1 points, 12.7 rebounds and 6.2 blocks this season, also was named NJAC Player of the Week on Nov. 21 and Dec. 12. She won her first ECAC Metro Player of the Week honors on Dec. 13.

The first NCAA Division III individual national rankings for this season will be released Jan. 4. Rulon led the nation during the 2004-05 season by averaging 4.2 blocked shots per game.

For her career, Rulon owns 1,070 points (ninth on the Rutgers-Camden career charts), 696 rebounds (sixth) and 273 blocks (second, 18 shy of the program mark set by Kamilah Byrd from 1993-97).

In addition to Rulon's three NJAC Player of the Week honors this season, the Raptors also saw freshman forward Crystal Pezzano (Brockton, MA/Brockton) cited as the NJAC Rookie of the Week on Nov. 28.

Rutgers-Camden, 4-8, entertains Montclair State University Wednesday in a 6 p.m. NJAC game.

BALTIMORE, Md. - Sophomore guard/forward Shadae Swan (Baltimore, MD/St. Frances Academy) scored a game-high 26 points to power the Goucher College women's basketball team to a 65-58 non-conference victory over Rutgers University-Camden here Jan. 2.

The Gophers improve to 5-2 with their fourth straight win, while the Lady Raptors fall to 4-8.

Goucher outscored Rutgers-Camden, 38-31, in the second half to break a 27-27 halftime deadlock.

Senior guard Stacy Hollander (Baltimore, MD/Beth T'Filoh) added 16 points for the Gophers, while junior forward Francheska Giulfu (Bridgeport, CT/Preston, NY) added nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

Hollander, who was fouled on a three-point attempt with 15:03 remaining in the game, hit all three of her foul shots to break a 31-31 deadlock and give the Gophers the lead for good, 34-31. That sparked a seven-point Goucher run which lifted the Gophers into a 38-31 lead, and Rutgers-Camden never came closer than five points (38-33) the rest of the way. Goucher led by as many as 16 points (63-47 and 65-49) in the second half.

For the Lady Raptors, senior guard Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) scored 20 points and added eight rebounds, while sophomore guard Krystal Jankowski (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) collected 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Junior forward Karen Carter (Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken) added six rebounds for Rutgers-Camden.

The Lady Raptors return to action Wednesday with a 6 p.m. home game against New Jersey Athletic Conference rival Montclair State University.

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas - Senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) scored 17 points, added 11 rebounds and three blocked shots to earn a spot on the All-South Padre Island Shootout tournament team as the Rutgers University-Camden women's basketball team defeated Juniata College, 58-51, in the consolation game here Dec. 29.

Rulon collected 35 points, 31 rebounds and 13 blocked shots in the two-day tournament for the Lady Raptors, who lost their opening-round game to Concordia University at Austin (Texas) on Wednesday.

Rutgers-Camden's win over Juniata lifts the Lady Raptors to 4-7, snapping a three-game losing streak.

Juniata, which falls to 5-6, has lost two straight games. The Eagles also lost to Lakeland College (Wisconsin) in the South Padre Island Shootout Wednesday. Lakeland defeated Concordia, 72-53, in the championship game Thursday.

Rutgers-Camden led most of the game, taking the lead for good, 14-13, with 7:00 remaining in the first half. The Lady Raptors outscored the Eagles, 12-2, over those final seven minutes to take a 26-15 halfime lead.

In addition to Rulon, sophomore guard Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) had 11 points and six steals for the Raptors. Senior forward Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) and sophomore guard Krystal Jankowski (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) each had 10 points for Rutgers-Camden, with Jankowski adding six rebounds and Zimmitt hauling down four rebounds.

For the Eagles, senior forward Katie O'Brien (Hanover, PA/South Western) and sophomore forward Jess Winemiller (York, PA/Dallastown) each collected 10 points.

The Lady Raptors travel to Goucher College in Maryland for a 6 p.m. non-conference game Monday.

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas - Rutgers University-Camden senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) notched the second triple-double of her season and career, but the Lady Raptors lost to Concordia University at Austin, 52-50, in the first round of the South Padre Island Shootout here Dec. 28.

Freshman forward Kassandra Bills (Pflugerville, TX/Pflugerville) paced Concordia with 17 points, while sophomore center Christine Thompson (Hutto, TX/Hutto) added 11 points and a team-high 13 rebounds.

The Tornados improve to 3-5, while the Lady Raptors fall to 3-7.

In the other first-round game, Lakeland College (Wisconsin) edged Juniata College (Pennsylvania), 64-60, setting up Thursday's consolation and championship games. In the consolation game, Rutgers-Camden faces Juniata at 1 p.m. Central time, followed by Lakeland against Concordia at 3 p.m.

Rulon had an outstanding night in the losing effort for the Lady Raptors, notching game-high totals of 18 points, 20 rebounds and 10 blocked shots to record her second career triple-double. The first came at Valley Forge Christian College Nov. 28, 2005.

Rulon's 20 rebounds were a career high, passing the 19 she notched in that Valley Forge Christian game. She raised her career totals to 1,053 points, 685 rebounds and 270 blocks. She moved into ninth place in the program's career scoring list (passing Andrea Fogel, who had 1,037 points from 1986-89) and climbed to within 21 blocked shots of Kamilah Byrd's (1993-87) program record of 291. She also is sixth on the program's rebounding list.

Rutgers-Camden fell into a 31-17 halftime hole after taking an early 8-2 edge. Although the Lady Raptors outshot the Tornados from the field in the game (40.0 percent to 26.8), Concordia went 12-for-22 from the foul line to Rutgers-Camden's 5-for-12, and the Raptors made 31 turnovers to the Tornados' 16.

Rutgers-Camden roared back in the second half, taking the lead at 39-38 on a jumper by Rulon with 8:38 remaining. Another Rulon jumper gave the Raptors a 50-49 lead with 2:27 remaining, but that was the last basket the Raptors managed. The Tornados took the lead for good at 51-50 on a jumper by Bills with 1:11 remaining.

In addition to Rulon, sophomore guard Krystal Jankowski (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) had 11 points and a game-high five assists for the Raptors, while senior guard Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) notched 10 points and six rebounds. The 10 points gave her 608 in her career, lifting her over the 600-career plateau.

Sophomore guard Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) added eight rebounds and tied for game-high honors with four steals for Rutgers-Camden.

CAMDEN - One day after being honored as the New Jersey Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week, Rutgers University-Camden senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) added honors as the ECAC Metro Player of the Week Dec. 13.Rulon earned the honors following her brilliant performance in three games for the week ending Dec. 11.

It was the second NJAC Player of the Week honor for Rulon in the season's first four weeks. She also won the initial award on Nov. 21.

Rulon averaged 20.7 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.7 blocks during a week in which she became the 10th player in program history to reach the 1,000-point milestone for her career. She shot 57.9 percent from the field (22-for-38) and 81.8 from the foul line (18-for-22) during the week, while also adding eight assists and three steals.

Rulon opened her week with 17 points, 10 rebounds and nine blocked shots - barely missing a triple-double - in a 77-59 win over St. Mary's College of Maryland Dec. 5. She also had three assists and three steals.

In a conference loss at The College of New Jersey Dec. 7, Rulon had game-high totals of 25 points and nine blocked shots, while adding seven rebounds. The 25 points included a second-half foul shot which gave her 1,000 points for her career. She also tied her career high with five assists in that game.

Rulon added 20 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks in a loss at Rutgers-Newark Dec. 10.

The big week left Rulon with 1,035 career points (two behind Andrea Fogel for ninth place on the Rutgers-Camden career charts) and 665 rebounds (sixth for her career, 96 behind fifth-place Kate Cranston). She also has 260 blocked shots, trailing only career leader Kamilah Byrd, who had 291 from 1993-97.

For the season, Rulon is averaging 20.8 points, 12.0 rebounds and 6.1 blocks per game. The first NCAA Division III individual national rankings for this season will be released Jan. 4. Rulon led the nation during the 2004-05 season by averaging 4.2 blocked shots per game.

Rulon is one of two Lady Raptors to earn NJAC weekly honors this season. Freshman forward Crystal Pezzano (Brockton, MA/Brockton) was named the NJAC Rookie of the Week Nov. 28.

NEWARK - The Rutgers-Newark women's basketball team roared back from the eight-point halftime deficit and went on to defeat Rutgers-Camden, 57-51, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Dec. 10.

The Scarlet Raiders, who trailed 30-22 at the half, scored the first seven points of the second half. They eventually took the lead, 33-32, on a layup by sophomore forward Eni Fageyinbo (Morris Plains, NJ/Parsippany Hills) with 17:09 remaining. Although the Lady Raptors managed to tie the game at 35-35, they never led again. Rutgers-Newark took the lead for good, 37-35, on a layup by sophomore forward Stephanie Ross (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) with 14:42 left.

Sophomore forward Toni Roselli (Garfield, NJ/St. Mary's) netted 10 of her 18 points during Rutgers-Newark's second-half run, while Fageyinbo scored nine of her 10 points and Ross notched six of her 10 points in the second half.

Roselli added four steals, four rebounds and two assists while Ross added four rebounds. Freshman guard Youngor Kehleay (Eatontown, NJ/Monmouth Regional) dished out six assists and made three steals.

The win lifts the Raiders to 3-4 overall and 3-2 in the NJAC, snapping a two-game losing streak. The Scarlet Raptors fall to 3-6 and 0-5 with their second straight loss.

Rutgers-Camden received game-high totals of 20 points, 13 rebounds and two blocked shots from senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional). Sophomore guard Krystal Jankowski (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) collected 13 points - 12 in the opening half on 6-for-8 shooting from the field - and seven rebounds, while tying her career high of six assists.

Senior guard Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) added 10 points, six rebounds, two assists and tied Jankowski for team-high honors with three steals apiece.

The Scarlet Raiders host Lehman Monday at 7 p.m. in a non-conference contest. Rutgers-Camden is idle until Dec. 28-29 when it travels to the South Padre Island (TX) Shootout. It will play Concordia (TX) University in its first game Dec. 28.

EWING - Senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) became the 10th player in Rutgers University-Camden women's basketball history to reach 1,000 career points when she hit a foul shot with 17:23 remaining at The College of New Jersey Dec. 7.

Megan Rulon receives congratulations from Rutgers-Camden Head Coach Dale Hodges after scoring her 1,000th career point at The College of New Jersey Dec. 7, 2005. Photo courtesy of The College of New Jersey.

Rulon finished with game-high totals of 25 points and nine blocked shots, while adding seven rebounds in the Lady Raptors' 80-56 loss to the Lions. She also tied for team-high honors with five assists.

Rulon's big night gives her 1,015 points during her brilliant four-year career. She should pass Andrea Fogel and move into ninth place on the program's career list in the next two games. Fogel notched 1,037 points from 1986-89.

Rulon also has 652 rebounds during her career, placing her sixth on the program's all-time charts. Fifth place belongs to Kate Cranston, who had 761 rebounds from 1997-2001.

Another major milestone on the horizon for Rulon is the program's all-time record for blocked shots. Rulon, who led all NCAA Division III players in blocks per game last season (4.2), owns 258 blocks. The program record of 291 is held by Kamilah Byrd (1993-97).

Megan Rulon

Rulon is averaging 20.9 for her senior season, which started with a berth on the all-tournament team at the Jim Crawley Classic at Frostburg State University Nov. 18-19. She was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Player of the Week and the school's Raptor of the Week on Nov. 21.

Rulon will continue her climb up the Rutgers-Camden career charts Saturday when the Lady Raptors return to action with a 5:30 p.m. NJAC game at Rutgers-Newark.

EWING - The College of New Jersey women's basketball team placed four players in double figures scoring, led by 14 points from senior center Danica Miller (Rutherford, NJ/Rutherford) on its way to an 80-56 New Jersey Athletic Conference victory over Rutgers University-Camden here Dec. 7.

The Lions' victory spoiled a milestone evening for Lady Raptor senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview), who scored a game-high 25 points and became the 10th player in program history to reach the 1,000-point milestone for her career. Rulon now has 1,015 career points.

Sophomore guard/forward Sara Best (High Bridge, NJ/Voorhees) added 12 points for TCNJ, which improves to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the NJAC. Freshman guard Lisa Koch (Oak Ridge, NJ/Jefferson Township) notched 11 points and senior forward Erin Frank (Toms River, NJ/Toms River East) canned 10 for the Lions.

Rutgers-Camden falls to 3-5 and 0-4.

The Lions took the lead for good, 11-10, with 12:28 remaining in the first half on a three-pointer by Koch. TCNJ stretched its advantage to 39-25 by halftime as Miller notched 10 of her team-high 14 points and Best added nine in the opening 20 minutes. Best also had seven of her game-high 10 rebounds in the opening half as the Lions out-rebounded the Lady Raptors, 22-17, in the first 20 minutes. TCNJ held a 45-35 advantage off the boards in the final stats.

Rulon had eight points to lead the Raptors in the first half. After hitting a foul shot early in the second half, Rulon scored her milestone point on another trip to the charity stripe, sinking a free throw with 17:23 remaining in the game. She also collected a game-high nine blocked shots, tied sophomore guard Krystal Jankowski (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) with a team-high seven rebounds and tied freshman forward Crystal Pezzano (Brockton, MA/Brockton) for team-high honors with five assists.

In addition to her milestone point total, Rulon raised her career totals to 652 rebounds and 258 blocked shots. She is 33 blocked shots shy of the program record of 291 set by Khamilah Byrd from 1993-97.

Pezzano added 11 points for the Lady Raptors in addition to her five assists. Senior guard/forward Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) had 10 points and grabbed six rebounds.

Rutgers-Camden returns to NJAC action with a 5:30 p.m. game Saturday at Rutgers-Newark.

CAMDEN - Sophomore guard Krystal Jankowski (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) scored a career-high 20 points and senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) came within one blocked shot of a triple-double to power the Rutgers University-Camden women's basketball team to a 77-59 non-conference victory over St. Mary's College of Maryland here Dec. 5.

Rutgers-Camden improves to 3-4, while St. Mary's falls to 1-6.

The Lady Raptors grabbed a 36-29 halftime lead as Rulon collected nine points, seven rebounds and five blocks in the opening 20 minutes. For St. Mary's, sophomore forward Lisa Daciek (Laurel, MD/Atholton) had seven points in the first half.

Jankowski notched 16 of her game-high 20 points in the second half to pass her old career high of 17 points, set against Cabrini College Dec. 14, 2004. She added six rebounds and a team-high four assists.

Rulon, meanwhile, had 17 points, 10 rebounds and nine blocked shots as she continued her climb toward the 1,000-point milestone. She now has 990 points and could become the 10th player in program history to reach 1,000 points when the Lady Raptors play an 8 p.m. New Jersey Athletic Conference game at The College of New Jersey Wednesday.

Rulon also raised her career totals to 645 rebounds and 249 blocked shots. She is 42 blocked shots shy of the program record of 291 set by Khamilah Byrd from 1993-97.

The Lady Raptors also received a game-high 11 rebounds and nine points from senior guard Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown), while sophomore guard Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) played a fine all-around game with 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists, one blocked shot and a game-high six steals.

The Seahawks received 14 points from freshman forward Allie Scott (Laurel, MD/Atholton), while Daciek finished with 10 points. Sophomore guard Taylor Yearwood (Washington, D.C./The Holy Cross Academy) had a team-high nine rebounds and tied for team-high honors with five assists.

St. Mary's plays a 6 p.m. home game Friday against Neumann College.

CAMDEN - Freshman guard Khiada Evans (Newark, NJ/Malcolm X. Shabazz) scored 24 points on 10-for-13 shooting from the field, and added 11 assists to power the Ramapo College women's basketball team over Rutgers University-Camden, 80-63, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Dec. 3.

Evans had 18 points and six assists in the first half to power the Roadrunners to a 43-31 halftime lead. Ramapo was never threatened after that as it raised its record to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the NJAC.

Rutgers-Camden fell to 2-4 and 0-3.

The Roadrunners also received 14 points from sophomore center Alison Beller (Morris Plains, NJ/Morristown), while junior guard Kelly Bartz (Madison, NJ/Madison) and junior guard Keona Palmer (Port Reading, NJ/Woodbridge) each added 10 points.

Evans tied for game-high scoring honors with Rutgers-Camden senior guard Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown). Zimmitt's 24 points set a career high, passing her previous high of 23 against Kean Jan. 24, 2004.

Evans also notched game-high honors with her 11 assists and had a team-high five steals.

For the Raptors, Zimmitt added a team-high eight rebounds and game-high seven steals, passing her previous career high of five steals, which had been accomplished four times.

Freshman guard Melissa Whitten (Gloucester City, NJ/Gloucester City) set highs for her short Lady Raptor career by adding 12 points and seven rebounds.

Ramapo shot 54.5 percent from the field for the game (36-for-66), while Rutgers-Camden shot 39.2 (20-for-51). The Roadrunners also out-rebounded the Raptors, 42-32, led by 10 boards from senior center Alison Werkman (Trenton, NJ/Nottingham).

The Lady Raptors return to action Monday when they host St. Mary's College of Maryland in a 6 p.m. non-conference game. Ramapo will play another NJAC game Wednesday with an 8 p.m. start at Montclair State University.

GLASSBORO - Junior forward Lauren Byrne (Paulsboro, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) scored 16 of her game-high 23 points in the second half and tied for game-high honors with 14 rebounds to power the Rowan University women's basketball team to a 67-56 comeback victory over Rutgers University-Camden in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Nov. 30.

Rowan, which trailed, 33-26, at halftime, improves to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the NJAC. Rutgers-Camden falls to 2-3 and 0-2.

The Profs shot 16-for-33 (48.5 percent) from the field in the second half while outscoring the Lady Raptors, 41-23. Rutgers-Camden hit only seven of 30 shots (23.3 percent) in the second half.

Rutgers-Camden built a 33-26 halftime lead on the strength of red-hot first-half shooting by Miriam Lindemann (Cherry Hill, NJ/Akiba Hebrew Academy). Lindemann hit all five of her field goal attempts, including four from three-point range, on her way to a career-high 14 points by halftime. Her shooting rallied the Raptors from a 26-20 deficit into their seven-point halftime lead.

Rutgers-Camden extended its lead to 42-34 before Rowan mounted its comeback, scoring eight of the next nine points to cut its deficit to 43-42. Byrne and sophomore center Katie Shaw (Wallington, NJ/Wallington) each collected four points in the Profs' run.

Rowan regained the lead at 46-45 on a layup by senior guard Sheemea Carr (Glassboro, NJ/Glassboro). After the Raptors grabbed the lead back on a layup by senior guard Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown), the Profs took the lead for good, 48-47, on a jumper by senior guard Tracie Smith (Milford, DE/Mt. Olive) with 7:26 remaining.

In addition to Byrne's game-high 23 points, Carr added 16 for Rowan.

Lindemann finished with a team- and career-high 21 points for Rutgers-Camden, including 5-for-6 shooting from three-point range. Her previous career high was nine points against Rutgers-Newark (Jan. 5, 2005).

Senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) added 14 points, 11 rebounds and a game-high five blocked shots for the Raptors, lifting her career scoring output to 973 points. With 27 more points she will become the 10th player in program history to collect 1,000 for her career. She also owns 635 rebounds (sixth on the career list) and 240 blocks (second, 51 shy of the program record).

Zimmitt finished with 12 points and eight rebounds.

Sophomore guard Krystal Jankowski (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) added six points, a team-high 14 rebounds and a team-high six assists.

The Lady Raptors play their first home game on Saturday when they entertain Ramapo College at 1 p.m. in another NJAC game.

Rulon leads Lady Raptors to romp
past Valley Forge Christian College

PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. - The Rutgers University-Camden women's basketball team set a program record with a 72-point victory as it raced past Valley Forge Christian College, 99-27, in a non-conference game here Nov. 28.

The Lady Raptors, who improve to 2-2, opened up a 41-12 halftime lead on the way to passing their previous record of a 71-point winning margin. That margin was accomplished twice in January, 1995 during a 95-24 victory over SUNY-Westbury (Jan. 4) and a 94-23 win over Lincoln University (Jan. 16).

In Monday's win, senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) had a huge night with her first career triple-double, including a career-high 39 points, including 21 in the first half. Her previous high was 25, accomplished four times, most recently against Goucher College (Dec. 6, 2004). She also set career highs with 19 rebounds (breaking her old mark of 18, accomplished twice) and 11 blocked shots (topping her mark of 10 set against Wilkes Nov. 20, 2004).

Rulon's big night lifted her to 959 career points and into 10th place on the all-time program scoring list, passing Monica Cummings, who scored 945 points from 1981-83. Rulon is 41 points shy of becoming the 10th player in program history to reach 1,000 career points. She also has 235 career blocks (second all-time and 56 shy of the school record) and 624 rebounds (seventh all-time and five shy of tying for sixth place).

In addition to Rulon, freshman forward Crystal Pezzano (Brockton, MA/Brockton) and senior guard Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) each added 14 points, while sophomore guard Krystal Jankowski (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) added 12 points. Jankowski also set career highs with 15 rebounds and five assists and tied her highs with six steals and one blocked shot. Zimmitt tied her career highs with five steals and one block, while also adding nine rebounds. Pezzano, in her fourth collegiate game, added a career-high eight rebounds, tied her high with one assist and added her first blocked shot.

The Lady Raptors also received 10 rebounds from sophomore guard Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional), who tied her career high of eight steals set against Lincoln on Nov. 19.

The 99 points were the most scored by Rutgers-Camden since a 115-58 victory over SUNY-Westbury on Jan. 6, 1997, which is the program record for points scored.

The Lady Raptors return to action Wednesday in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game. They play at Rowan University at 6 p.m.

Lady Raptors' Pezzano earns
NJAC Rookie of the Week honor

CAMDEN - Rutgers University-Camden freshman forward Crystal Pezzano (Brockton, MA/Brockton) was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference women's basketball Rookie of the Week Nov. 28 after scoring a team-high 22 points in the Lady Raptors' lone game last week.

Pezzano went 9-for-14 from the field and 4-for-6 from the foul line in the Raptors' 73-67 loss at Richard Stockton College November 22. She also added five rebounds.

Entering tonight's non-conference game at Valley Forge Christian College, Pezzano is averaging 12.7 points (second on the team and seventh in the NJAC) while shooting 16-for-27 (59.3) from the field and 6-for-8 (75.0) from the foul line.

She also has grabbed 11 rebounds through her first three collegiate games for a 3.7 average.

Pezzano becomes the second Lady Raptor to earn a weekly NJAC honor in the first two weeks of the season's conference awards. In the first week, on Nov. 21, senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) was named the NJAC Player of the Week.

A General Science major at Rutgers-Camden, Crystal is the daughter of Chris and Sheila Pezzano of Brockton, Mass.

Crystal Pezzano

Neira helps Richard Stockton
topple Rutgers-Camden

POMONA - Sophomore guard Lisa Neira (Cresskill, NJ/Cresskill) collected a career-high 26 points to power the Richard Stockton College women's basketball team over Rutgers University-Camden, 73-67, in the New Jersey Athletic Conference opener for both teams here Nov. 22.

Stockton improves to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the NJAC, while Rutgers-Camden falls to 1-2 and 0-1.

Neira went 10-for-14 from the floor, including 2-for-3 from three-point range. She scored 20 of Stockton's 43 second-half points as the Ospreys held off the Lady Raptors after taking a 30-22 halftime lead.

Senior forward Krystle Umscheid (Cape May, NJ/Lower Cape May) added 13 points and junior forward Alicia Morris (Easthampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley) grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds for the Ospreys.

Stockton led for the entire first half despite a first-half high of eight points by the Raptors' junior guard Jessica Hull (Sicklerville, NJ/Fairton Christian Center and Academy).

The Raptors went on a 13-3 run to open the second half, taking a 35-33 lead on a basket by freshman forward Crystal Pezzano (Brockton, MA/Brockton). Pezzano notched a team-high 22 points, aided by 9-for-14 shooting from the floor.

Stockton responded with eight straight points, including four by sophomore guard Michele Auerebacher (Franklin Lakes, NJ/Ramapo) to take the lead for good, 41-35. Neira scored 20 points over the final 12 minutes to help the Ospreys hold off the Raptors.

In addition to Pezzano, senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) added 14 points, nine rebounds and a game-high four blocked shots for Rutgers-Camden.

The Lady Raptors play a 6 p.m. non-conference game at Valley Forge Christian College Monday.

Rutgers-Camden's Rulon earns
NJAC Player of the Week honor

CAMDEN - Rutgers University-Camden senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) has been named the first New Jersey Athletic Conference women's basketball Player of the Week this season after a weekend in which she earned a berth on the all-tournament team at Frostburg State University's Jim Crawley Classic. The honor comes for games through Nov. 20.

Rulon collected 37 points, 27 rebounds and nine blocked shots as the Lady Raptors split a pair of games against Frostburg State (a 73-58 loss Nov. 18) and Lincoln University (a 61-52 win Nov. 19). Against Frostburg, she had 15 points and game-high totals of 16 rebounds and six blocked shots. In the win over Lincoln, she collected game-high totals of 22 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.

That performance also earned her honors as Rutgers-Camden's Raptor of the Week for Nov. 21.

The two-day tournament pushed her career totals to 220 blocked shots (71 shy of the school record), 596 rebounds and 906 points. She is 94 points shy of becoming the 10th player in program history to hit the 1,000-point milestone.

Rulon, who played a key role on the Lady Raptors' NJAC championship squad as a freshman, led all Division III players nationally last season with 4.2 blocks per game.

A Sociology major at Rutgers-Camden, Megan is the daughter of Wayne and Jamie Rulon of Sewell.

Megan Rulon

Rulon named all-tournament
as Rutgers-Camden tops Lincoln

FROSTBURG, MD - Senior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) collected game-high totals of 22 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots to power the Rutgers University-Camden women's basketball team over Lincoln University, 61-52, in the consolation game of the Seventh Annual Jim Crawley Classic here November 19.

In the championship game, host Frostburg State University defeated College Misericordia, 79-67, as Tracie George scored 22 points and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. She collected 50 points in the two-day event, including 28 in the opener against Rutgers-Camden.

Rutgers-Camden's victory was the first of the season for the Lady Raptors (1-1) and the first win under new coach Dale Hodges. Lincoln fell to 0-2.

Rulon earned a berth on the all-tournament team with her outstanding play, averaging 18.5 points and 13.5 rebounds in the two games. She collected nine blocked shots in the two games, in addition to her 37 points and 27 rebounds. The two-day tournament pushed her career totals to 220 blocked shots (71 shy of the school record), 596 rebounds and 906 points. She is 94 points shy of becoming the 10th player in program history to hit the 1,000-point milestone.

The Raptors held a 13-9 lead following a layup by Rulon with 11:43 remaining in the first half. Lincoln, however, countered with its own run to take a four-point lead on a layup by Tanina Cook (Landover, MD/Charles H. Flowers).

Rutgers-Camden used back-to-back jumpers from junior guard Jessica Hull (Sicklerville, NJ/Fairton Christian Center and Academy) to tie the game at 21-21, and grabbed a 25-23 halftime lead.

The Lady Raptors grabbed a quick four-point lead early in the second half on a layup by sophomore guard Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) at 18:21, but senior center Mary Rotimi (Philadelphia, PA/Frankford) tied the game at 35-35 on a layup with 13:29 remaining.

The Lady Raptors took the lead for good with an 11-3 run, sparked by four straight points from senior guard Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown). Rulon added the next four points and Hull capped the run with a three-pointer, giving the Raptors a 46-38 lead. Lincoln never came closer than three points (49-46) the rest of the way.

In addition to Rulon, the Raptors received 12 points from Zimmitt, who scored a dozen points in each of the two tournament games. Hafiz and freshman forward Crystal Pezzano (Brockton, MA/Brockton) each added eight points, while Hull had seven.

Hafiz also added game-high totals of eight assists and eight steals, setting her career high in both categories. Her old mark of four assists was accomplished twice and she had seven steals against Lehman on Dec. 11, 2004.

Lincoln's Rotimi also made the all-tournament team with 14 points and added 10 rebounds. Lincoln also received 13 points from sophomore Asha Atkinson (Deptford, NJ/Deptford).

The Lady Raptors open their New Jersey Athletic Conference schedule Tuesday with a 6 p.m. game at Richard Stockton College.

All-Jim Crawley Classic Team
MVP - Tracie George (Frostburg State University), Krystin Hargrove (Frostburg State University), Amy Hughes (College Misericordia), Megan Rulon (Rutgers University-Camden), Mary Rotimi (Lincoln University)

Frostburg topples Rutgers-Camden
in opener of Jim Crawley Classic

FROSTBURG, MD - Junior Tracie George (Windber, PA/Windber) scored a game-high 28 points to lead host Frostburg State University to a 73-58 victory over Rutgers University-Camden in the first round of the season-opening Seventh Annual Jim Crawley Classic here Nov. 18.

The Bobcats took a 10-5 lead just over four minutes into the game on a pair of baskets by junior Krystin Hargrove (Silver Spring, MD/Springbrook). George added a three-pointer to cap a 9-2 run over the next three minutes as FSU lifted its lead to 19-7.

Although Rutgers-Camden cut the gap to 25-20, the Lady Raptors never came closer the rest of the night. Frostburg State used a 9-2 run over the last three minutes of the half to take a 34-22 lead at the break. The Bobcats opened the second half with a 23-6 run to take a 57-28 lead, sparked by seven straight points from sophomore Amanda Hernandez (Crofton, MD/Arundel).

In the opening game of the night, College Misericordia toppled Lincoln University, 73-52, setting up Saturday's championship game at 4 p.m. between Misericordia and Frostburg State. The Lady Raptors will play Lincoln at 2 p.m. in the consolation game.

After the Bobcats took their 57-28 second-half lead, Rutgers-Camden went on an 11-point run, with four points apiece by senior Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) and sophomore Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional). The run, which sliced the deficit to 59-39, was capped by a three-pointer from freshman Melissa Whitten (Gloucester City, NJ/Gloucester City).

Hernandez followed that run with six straight points of her own on the way to a 10-point night. Hargrove finished with 20 points to finish second to George's game-high 28. Senior Stephanie Watts (Baltimore, MD/North County) had 14 rebounds and game-high totals of eight assists and eight steals for the Bobcats.

For Rutgers-Camden, senior Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview) had 15 points and game-high totals of 16 rebounds and six blocked shots. Zimmitt added 12 points and a team-high four steals, while Hafiz and freshman Crystal Pezzano (Brockton, MA/Brockton) each added eight.

Lady Raptors set to begin
first season under coach Hodges

The Rutgers-Camden women's basketball team faced numerous hurdles during the 2004-05 season, from youth and inexperience to injuries and a new coaching staff, which inherited the post one month before the first game. The Lady Raptors won six of their first 14 games, but struggled down the stretch as the team finished 7-18 overall and 2-14 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference.

The 2005-06 team returns six players, including senior Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional), who led all NCAA Division III players in blocked shots last season (4.2 per game). It also enters the campaign with a new head coach. Dale Hodges begins her Rutgers-Camden coaching career, while last season's interim head coach, Joe Baker Jr., returns to his familiar role as an assistant. He is beginning his fourth year with the program. Hodges' other assistant will be Amy Dick, a former Lady Raptor player, who is entering her third season on the coaching staff.

"The girls have to buy in to what I'm trying to teach them," said Hodges, who coached at Arcadia University last season. "It's a new mentality and a new approach, how I like the game to be played. There are new philosophies. It's new for the girls. It's taking time for them to know me and trust me."

Baker was thrown into the fire shortly before the 2004-05 season started, becoming the interim coach when head coach Jackie Trakimas resigned Oct. 20, 2004.

With a squad which featured three newcomers among its top six players, and only one senior, the Raptors posted a 6-8 record at midseason before dropping nine straight games and finishing at 7-18. Rulon was named to the all-tournament team at the season-opening Wingate Invitational at Messiah College, aided by a career-high 10 blocked shots against Wilkes University in the consolation game Nov. 20.

Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) earned All-Craig Keeler Memorial Tournament honors (Jan. 7-8) at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham, scoring 34 points and grabbing 21 rebounds in two games. Hafiz ended her freshman season placing third in the NJAC, and tied for 41st nationally, with 3.2 steals per game.

In addition to Hafiz and Rulon, the Raptors' other returning players include senior guard Tanishia Greene (Georgetown, SC/Georgetown), sophomore guards Krystal Jankowski (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) and Miriam Lindemann (Cherry Hill, NJ/Akiba Hebrew Academy, PA) and senior guard/forward Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown).

Rulon averaged a team-high 13.5 points and 8.0 rebounds last season, while Zimmitt had 9.1 points and 5.8 rebounds. Hafiz averaged 8.9 points and 5.5 boards, while Jankowski was at 7.9 points and 5.8 boards.

Of those veterans, only Zimmitt played in all 25 games and several key performers, including Rulon, Jankowski and Hafiz, missed significant time with injuries.

The biggest injury last season was the one which sidelined Karen Carter (Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken) for the year. The Lady Raptors will get a huge boost if the junior forward can return after missing the entire 2004-05 season while recovering from an ACL injury. A rugged competitor inside, Carter averaged 6.2 points and 4.5 rebounds as a sophomore in 2003-04.

Two key losses are the graduated Lisa Geiger (5.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 31 assists and 24 steals last season) and Kelly Stafford, who opted not to return after averaging 10.9 points (second on the team) and 3.4 rebounds while adding a team-high 66 assists.

"We have a pretty good nucleus, but they'll be used in a different capacity," Hodges said. "It's an adjustment period. It's taking time."

Newcomers to the squad include junior guard Jessica Hull (Sicklerville, NJ/Fairton Christian Center and Academy), a transfer from Cumberland County College, sophomore guard Amber Parker (Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken) and a pair of freshmen, guard Melissa Whitten (Gloucester City, NJ/Gloucester City) and forward Crystal Pezzano (Brockton, MA/Brockton). Hull set Cumberland County College program career records for points (598), steals (104) and three-pointers (73).

Among the veterans, seniors Zimmitt, Rulon and Greene are the last link to the Lady Raptors' New Jersey Athletic Conference championship squad from the 2002-03 season. Zimmitt, who has played in 77 career games, could become only the second player in program history to appear in 100 contests (the school record is 104 by Tamara Carey from 1991-95). Rulon, meanwhile, is on the verge of several milestones. She needs 131 points to become the 10th player in program history to hit 1,000 career points. With 569 rebounds, she is seventh on the career charts and needs 193 boards to pass Kate Cranston (1997-2001) for fifth place on the career charts. She has averaged 189.7 rebounds over her first three years. With 80 more blocked shots she'll tie the career record of 291, set by Kamilah Byrd (1993-97). Rulon blocked 93 shots last year while leading the nation in blocks per game.

The Lady Raptors open their season Friday, Nov. 18, playing host Frostburg State University at 8 p.m. in the opening round of the FSU/Jim Crawley Invitational. Their 25-game schedule includes the home opener Dec. 3 against NJAC rival Ramapo College at 1 p.m.

"I'm excited about it," Hodges said. "Like any new coach coming in, the players have to buy into the philosophy you're teaching. We have the potential to be good, but if the players don't believe it, it's not going to come to fruition."

Rutgers-Camden tabs Hodges
as new head basketball coach

CAMDEN- Basketball has taken Dale Hodges all over the globe, but the former St. Joseph's University All-American now has a new home court in Camden.

Hodges, a 1990 St. Joseph's graduate who has played professional basketball on three continents, in addition to coaching on the collegiate level, has been named as the head coach of the Rutgers University-Camden women's basketball team. Hodges follows Joe Baker Jr., who was promoted from assistant to the interim head coach this past season after head coach Jackie Trakimas left to take a coaching and teaching job at Lindenwold High School. Baker will remain on Hodges' new staff as the recruiting coordinator.

"I'm excited," said Hodges, who served as the interim head coach of Arcadia University last season and served single seasons as an assistant at Drexel University and the University of Massachusetts between her playing career. "I like to coach. I just finished playing and I think I have a lot to offer. When you play a long time you're like a student of the game.

"We're going to work hard. Everybody knows you get out of things what you put into them. Nothing comes easy. You have to sacrifice."

Hodges' hard work and sacrifice on the basketball court literally took her far, as she circled the globe playing the sport she loves. A former Parade All-American at Trenton Central High School, Hodges went on to have an outstanding basketball career at Saint Joseph's University.

Hodges led the Hawks in scoring, rebounding and blocks all three seasons she played at Saint Joseph's University (1988-90), becoming the only player to accomplish that feat. She also paced the team in steals during her final two years. Her remarkable run helped her earn First Team All-Big Five and All-Atlantic 10 honors every season. During her junior (1989) and senior (1990) seasons, she was honored as the A-10 and Big Five Player of the Year, leading the leagues in scoring each season. An A-10 Player of the Week 15 times, she led the Hawks to three NCAA Tournaments, including the second round twice. She also helped Saint Joseph's win the Big Five title in both 1988 and 1990.

Hodges averaged 23.4 points and 11.2 rebounds as a junior, when she made the first of her two consecutive All-District squads.

Hodges capped her brilliant career averaging 27.6 points (third nationally) and 12.0 rebounds (13th nationally) as a senior, earning a trio of First Team All-American honors on the Kodak, USWBA and Naismith teams.

Hodges holds numerous Saint Joseph's University records, including the career mark of 1,049 rebounds. She also ranks second on the career charts for points (2,077) and blocked shots (95) and holds single-game marks for both points (42) and rebounds (21).

The only female athlete in Saint Joseph's University history to have her uniform number (44) retired, she was inducted into both the Philadelphia Big Five and Saint Joseph's basketball Hall of Fames in 1996. She also joined the Saint Joseph's Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999.

A Sociology major who graduated Saint Joseph's in 1990, Hodges continued her outstanding basketball career at the professional level, playing all around the world from 1990-95 and 1997-2004, interrupted by single years as an assistant at Drexel and at UMass.

Hodges played with teams in Italy (Busto Arsizio and Messina), Spain (Zaragosa, Cadi La Seu D'urgell and Vigo), Japan (Moriguchi), France (Aix En Provence, Tarbes and Bordeaux), South Korea (Seoul) and Russia (Novsabirsk). She also played with the New England Blizzard of the ABL and represented the United States on the Jones Cup team in Taiwan (1988 silver medalists), the World University Games in Sheffield England (1991 gold medalists) and the Senior National Pan American Qualifying Team (1997 silver medalists).

"It's an awesome experience," said Hodges about her professional career. "You're doing something you love to do, traveling the world and getting paid to do it. The game is the same. It doesn't change, no matter what the language is. Every place I've been, I've found something positive in it."

Hodges participated in the Olympic Trials in both 1988 and 1992 and played on an Under-21 National Team European Tour to Yugoslavia and Russia. Her final professional season, as well, was spent in Russia. She retired from pro ball in 2004.

"Playing a lot, I hope the girls see I'm qualified to do this job," she said. "I didn't get this knowledge out of the book. I'm qualified. Coaching and playing are different, but I've walked in their shoes."

In addition to her collegiate coaching stints, Hodges also has served as a basketball camp counselor at numerous camps throughout the Eastern United States.

A resident of Philadelphia, Hodges works as a teacher in Philadelphia schools (elementary school through high school) with the Best Program, conducting emotional support classes.

"We're lucky to have somebody with her background and ability," said Rutgers-Camden Director of Athletics Jeff Dean. "She's excited to be here. We're fortunate to have her and we're excited to have her. I think she's going to have an immediate impact on our program."

Dale Hodges, second from right, at the retirement ceremony for her St. Joseph's University uniform number 44. Photo courtesy of St. Joseph's University.

Rulon finishes as NCAA leader
in blocked shots per game

CAMDEN- Rutgers University-Camden junior center Megan Rulon (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) was officially named the national leader in blocked shots per game when the final NCAA Division III statistics were released March 24.

Rulon, who finished with 93 blocks for the season, averaged 4.2 blocks in her 22 games, easily out-pacing runnerup Autumn Lee-Jeffries of Hilbert College, who finished second at 3.8 per game.

Rulon's 93 blocks were the fourth-highest single-season mark in program history. She has 211 blocks for her career, second in school history to the 291 by Kamilah Byrd from 1993-97.

Rulon also finished her junior year with 869 career points (14th in program history and two behind Erin James for 13th place) and 569 career rebounds (seventh, 60 behind Michelle Riley for sixth place).

Rulon became the third Division III national leader from Rutgers-Camden in the last four school years. The Lady Raptors' softball program produced the other two leaders, including the nation's individual ERA champion in 2002 when Sarah O'Malley (Westmont, NJ/Camden Catholic) posted a 0.47 mark. Last spring, meanwhile, the Lady Raptors were the national leader in team ERA as Michelle Schlichtig (Barrington, NJ/Haddon Heights) and Becky Johnson (Bridgeton, NJ/Cumberland Regional) combined to post a 0.59 ERA.

In addition to those accomplishments, the softball team's Beth Laputka (Berlin, NJ/Overbrook) finished her career last season as the NCAA Division III all-time career leader in stolen base percentage. She was successful on 55 of her 56 steals from 2002-2004 for a .982 percentage.

Rulon wasn't the only Lady Raptor to finish among the NCAA basketball leaders over the winter. Freshman guard Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) collected 64 steals in her 20 games to finish with a 3.2 steals per game average, tying Skidmore's Lisa Mason for 41st among all Division III players in that category. The national leader was Latrese McNair of New Jersey City University, who averaged 5.4 steals per game.

Megan Rulon

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Last updated: April 5, 2006 9:25 a.m.