At several key points in the second half, visiting Brookdale Community College threatened to break it open and run right past RCSJ during Saturday's North Atlantic District Championship game at the RAC.
And at every critical moment, freshman forward Danielle Jeffreys and her Roadrunner teammates responded to the challenge.
The result? The No. 1 seed Runners emerged as 72-63 victors, winning the District title and earning an automatic berth in the upcoming NJCAA Division III National Championship Tournament in Rochester, MN.
Jeffreys, the tournament MVP, led all RCSJ scorers with 20 points, nailing a pair of key three-pointers down the stretch and hitting sll four of her free throws attempted.
Helping Jeffreys out on the offensive were Qeiajae Canty (14 points), Trina Deveney-Bethea (13) and Julianna Monterro (11).
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The Runners held a 10-point first half lead, but saw the No. 3 seed Jersey Blues catch up and even take a four-point lead with under five minutes remaining in the game.
But Cooper's team, led by Jeffreys, refused to fold.
"No way we wanted them coming into our house and stealing this away from us," said Jeffreys, a former Williamstown High standout. "Every single player on our team really showed a lot of determination out there today."
The Runners, the No. 3 NJCAA nationally ranked D-III team, finally surpassed Brookdale following a 58-58 tie as Jeffreys and Deveney-Bethea led a 14-5 surge to end the contest and seal the outcome.
The win was the third this season for the Runners over the pesky Jersey Blues -- and each game was a battle to the finish.
"I was worried when I first heard we were playing Brookdale in this game," said Cooper, who will lead the Roadrunner program into the National Championship Tournament for the second time in 4 years. "We knew it would go right down to the wire -- and you always worry how it will turn out."
Early in the contest, the Jersey Blues held a 14-13 lead after one quarter before the Runners rolled to a 9-point advantage in the second quarter at 26-17. But the Jersey Blues roared back to close the gap to 30-27, setting up a dramatic second half.
Jeffreys was selected as the tournament's MVP while Cooper earned Region 19 Coach of the Year honors.
Game Day Preview
Roadrunner Women's Basketball Coach Rich Cooper was more than pleased when his squad put it all together Wednesday night to dispose of rising Camden County College, 85-69, in the North Atlantic District semifinals.
But he knows the road through the playoffs only gets tougher from here -- and he is confident his players will embrace the challenge.
That will most likely be the case when the Runners take on Brookdale Community College in Saturday's North Atlantic District Championship game at the RAC in a 1 pm start, with the winner earning a berth in the upcoming NJCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.
Aside from the solid defense the Runners displayed versus Camden County, Cooper was pleased with the balanced scoring attack provided by his lineup. Sophomore guard Qeiajae Canty led all scorers with 17 points while teammates Trina Deveney-Bethea (13), Nyasia Clark (13), Julianna Montero (13). Danielle Jeffreys (12) and Syria Bass (11) all scored in double figures. When the Cougars rallied from an early 11-point deficit to tie the game at 24-24, RCSJ showed its explosiveness with a quick 12-0 run to regain control of the final outcome.
"We hope to maintain that type of balance, and we feel we can," Cooper noted. "We will face a tough battle in the championship game, and we need everyone to contribute."
No. 3 seed Brookdale will be a formidable opponent as was evident in their come-from-behind 73-68 win over No. 2 Northampton in the Region semifinals as well as during a close 6-point loss to the Runners earlier this month.
"It's going to be a real fight in the championship," said Deveney-Bethea. "We responded well in our game tonight (vs. Camden CC), but we will need to step it up again."
The Runners, who are ranked No. 3 nationally in NJCAA Division III, hope their tough regular season schedule will help them moving deeper into the playoffs. Cooper's team, 23-2 overall, earned wins over nationally ranked opponents Prince George's Community College and Monroe College as well as two wins over Brookdale CC, a team sitting just outside the national Top 15.
"Our schedule will definitely help us," said Canty following Wednesday night's win. "We know how to battle and we never give up. We'll be ready to give it our best shot."
North Atlantic District Championship
No. 3 Brookdale CC at No. 1 RCSJ-Gloucester
Saturday, February 26, 2022
Roadrunner Athletics Center
Tip-Off: 1 pm