Leaders step up during the clutch -- sophomore forward Trina Deveney-Bethea and guard Qeiajae Canty are proof of this.
The veteran Roadrunner athletes pulled out all the stops Saturday, and their efforts lifted RCSJ to a hard-fought 68-62 victory over visiting Brookdale to enable their team to clinch the Garden State Athletic Conference championship. The No. 3 nationally ranked Runners improved to 19-2 overall while the Jersey Blues fell to 12-8.
Deveney-Bethea, a former Timber Creek High star, set the pace with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Canty, who played her scholastic ball at Atlantic City High, followed closely behind with 11 points and a critical 7 steals. They were complemented by freshman guard Nyasia Clark, who deposited 11 points.
"We came here to win and we weren't going to settle for anything less," said Canty, who again connected on key baskets in the closing moments of a close game.
Deveney-Bethea, a returning All-Region 19 standout, agreed. "We've come together as a team -- we believe we can beat anyone."
Coach Rich Cooper's Runners raced to a 35-24 halftime lead -- but a 23-11 third quarter surge allowed Brookdale to move out in front at 47-46.
"We got out of sync in the third quarter, and that's where players you count on -- players like Trina and Qeiajae -- pick you up," said Cooper. "We're going to need them down the stretch when the playoffs start if we expect to advance in the tournament."
The Runners, who have defeated two NJCAA D-III top 10 teams this winter, will host Bergen CCC Tuesday night in a 6 pm start.
Game Day Preview
The No. 3 nationally ranked Roadrunner Women's Basketball team hosts Brookdale Community College in a 12 noon start at the Roadrunner Athletic Center.
Coach Rich Cooper's Runners enter the contest with an 18-2 overall record after a 66-53 triumph at home Thursday night over Camden County College. Qeiajae Canty and Trina Deveney-Bethea pumped in 16 points apiece for the winners.
Click here to view the boxscore from the win vs. Camden County College
Today's game vs. Brookdale will be live streamed at wwww.rcroadrunners.com/watch-live.