Union, N.J. (2/9/08) - Junior Melissa Beyruti (Union City, N.J.) (pictured right) led all players with 20 points as sixth ranked (USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches' Poll) Kean University defeated Rutgers-Newark, 81-49, Saturday afternoon at Harwood Arena. Freshman Tiffany Patrick (Piscataway, N.J.) (pictured right) collected 10 points and six rebounds for the Cougars who improve to 21-1 overall and 9-1 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. Senior Eni Fageyinbo (Morris Plains, N.J.) led the Scarlet Raiders with 12 points and six rebounds as Rutgers-Newark falls to 17-5 and 6-4 in conference play.

The Cougars wore pink uniforms in support of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association "Think Pink" campaign, and with today's fan support, helped to increase this year's total money raised to $4,900, which will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

After the Scarlet Raiders tied things up at 11 all with just over 15 minutes remaining in the first half on a jumper from E. Fageyinbo, the Cougars used two quick runs to give a little cushion. The first run of eight straight points gave the Cougars a 19-11 advantage as Beyruti chipped in with four points in the span. The final run occurred in the final two minutes of action in the half as KU scored nine straight points for a 46-20 halftime lead.

Beyruti (pictured left) led all players with 17 first half points while junior Ebony Jackson (Newark, N.J.) had 10.

Kean then controlled the second half as all 13 players on the active roster saw action.

KU, who outrebounded Newark, 43-34, received a game-high eight assists to go along with a final 15 points from Jackson. Senior Chari' Cooper (Paulsboro, N.J.) finished the game with eight points and eight rebounds to increase her career total to 1,388 rebounds, currently fifth all-time in NCAA Division III history.

Rutgers-Newark senior Nerlande Nicolas (Maplewood, N.J.) had eight points and six rebounds as well as four assists.

The Cougars will head to the road to take on The College of New Jersey in a pivotal south-division matchup on Wednesday, February 13th at 6 p.m.