In the end, the Roadrunner Women's Basketball team earned a hard-fought 72-70 heart-thumping triumph Thursday over visiting Camden County College -- and then celebrated their well-deserved Garden State Athletic Conference championship.

But make no mistake -- it took their best effort of the season to slip past their opponent for their 16th straight triumph, .

Guard Aaliyah Bateman put the finishing touches on the outcome when she streaked downcourt and dropped in a basket with 6.8 seconds remaining for a 72-70 lead.

A few seconds later the Runners' defense held their ground -- and the celebration was on!

"I got ahead of the defender and just had my eye on the basket the whole way," said a jubilant Bateman. "We never gave up -- we were determined to win."

While the Runners held a slim lead throughout the game, the outcome proved very much in doubt as the pesky Cougars forged into a 70-68 lead entering the final moment of play. RCSJ used a quick basket to tie it at 70-70 before Bateman's heroics sealed the win.

The game was the second straight in which the No. 15 nationally ranked Runners pulled out a triumph -- they also fought valiantly to pull out a 68-65 victory over No. 8 Northampton CC last Tuesday night.

"We've proven we have the fight in us," said Coach Rich Cooper. "We didn't necessarily play our best two games this week, but we hung in there against two good opponents."

Click Here for Photo Highlights vs. Camden CC

Guard Destiny Hines enjoyed her finest outing of the season, collecting 17 points, 10 rebounds and 8 steals to lead the offensive effort. Forward Maxine Ampofo surged late in the second half, finishing with 14 points, 17 rebounds and 6 assists.

Next up for the Runners is a road match vs. Passaic County College in Saturday in a 12 noon tip-off.