North Branch, NJ - The RVCC Women's Basketball team lost their first two games of the season, in the same week, to fall to 12-2 overall. On Tuesday night the Lions took on the #10 ranked Union College Owls in Cranford. This was the first meeting in the history of the two teams when both were ranked in the top 20. RVCC entered the contest undefeated and ranked #18, and Union had only one previous loss to CCBC Essex, last year's NJCAA DII National Champion. After a back and forth first quarter the teams entered the second quarter tied at 20 a piece. The Owls went on a scoring spree and outscored the Lions 28-8 in the frame to take a commanding lead into half. The Lions would chip away in the second half, cutting the lead all the way down to 11 on multiple occasions, but couldn't get back on top. Julia Fontanillo led the way for the team with a season high 16 points and 7 rebounds. Lucia Noin was the only other Lion in double figures as she finished with 11 points and a team high 9 boards.
On Thursday night the Lions traveled to Newark to take on the Wolverines of Essex County College. The Lions would walk away with their first victory over the Wolverines in the past three seasons. Every member of the team scored at least four points, and Noin led the way with 28. Judith Vila had a season high 16 points and Quanajah Felder and Fontanillo contributed 13 each. Kerine Thomas knocked down three trifectas to finish with 9 points and Freya Rauschenfels contributed 7 points and 4 rebounds.
On Saturday the Lions hosted #15 ranked Niagara Community College. In what was a very tight game the whole way through the visitors would come out on top with a 77-75 victory. Leading the way for the Lions was Lucia Noin with a season high 34 points. Noin also tied for the lead in rebounds with Fontanillo as they each gathered 8 a piece. Vega Gil finished with 8 points and 5 assists to go with her 5 rebounds. Sophomore Ja'Nya Mills finished with 6 points and 4 rebounds. Fontanillo once again did it all for the Lions and finished with 5 dimes and 9 points.
The Lions have already surpassed last season's win total and have one more contest in the semester. On Tuesday, December 19th they will Travel to Orange County College in Middletown NY to take on the Colts at 5 PM.
