News Release

New York, N.Y. — The Baruch Bearcats scored the first 15 points to record a 79-56 home victory over Rutgers-Newark in the quarterfinal round of the 2007 ECAC Metro Women's Basketball Championship on Wednesday night in the ARC Arena.

The third-seeded Bearcats (21-8) advance to the semifinal round on Friday night to travel to play against the second-seeded Rams of Farmingdale State. The Rams defeated Drew University this evening by the score of 74-60.

The Scarlet Raiders of Rutgers-Newark end their 2006-07 season with a 16-11 record.

The Bearcats jumped out to a big lead in the opening four minutes for a 15-0 advantage, but the visitors from Newark fought back to get as close as four points (22-18) with nine minutes left.

The half ended with the Baruch up, 34-27, behind 42 percent shooting and a defense that forced 11 turnovers into 10 points.

The start of the second half began with another big Baruch rally, as they outscored the Scarlet Raiders, 18-4, in the opening five minutes for a 52-31 advantage that helped put the game out of reach.

The Scarlet Raiders, who committed 18 second-half turnovers, struggled to finish the game shooting 35 percent (24-68).

The Bearcats had five players in double-figures with freshman Kaleia Davis ( Bronx , N.Y./Lehman) leading the way with 14 points and nine rebounds.

Seniors Ally Stamatiades (Astoria, N.Y./W.C. Bryant), Racquel Reid (Bronx, N.Y./Washington Irving), and Jody Trapp (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle), who each played one more home game in the ARC Arena, finished with 10 points apiece. Karlee Whipple (Lund, Nev./Lund) had 11 points.

Nerlande Nicolas ( Maplewood , N.J./Columbia) led the visitors from the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) with a team-high 14 points (7-12fg), while Toni Roselli (Garfield, N.J./St. Mary's scored 14 points, via 4-of-9 shooting from three-point range.

The road game at Farmingdale State on Friday night will provide the Bearcats with an opportunity to avenge a previous 83-81 loss to the Rams on November 21, 2006. That victory by Farmingdale State enabled them to earn the higher #2 seed, and as a result, host the semifinal on Friday night. (Higher Seed Host Games.)

The winner of the Baruch-Farmingdale State semifinal will host the championship game on Saturday at 2:00 pm, against the winner of the #5 Montclair State vs. #8 Richard Stockton semifinal.