Pomona, N.J. (12/3/08) - Senior Melissa Beyruti (Union City, N.J.) notched a team-high 23 points as the women's basketball team outlasted Richard Stockton College, 88-80, Wednesday evening. The win keeps #3 Kean perfect at 5-0 this season and marks their first New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) win in opening night action.

After seven lead changes, the Cougars and Ospreys battled to a 40-40 tie after 20 minutes of action. Junior Cardiss Jackman (Tobyhanna, Pa.) recorded 10 first half points while Beyruti added 10 of her own.

Both teams again see-sawed in the early goings of the second half before Jackman initiated a 12-1 run with 12 minutes to go, contributing eight points in the span, for a lead KU would not relinquish.

Kean widened their lead to as many as 12 points (74-62) at 12:43 as Beyruti hit her third trey of the evening.

Jackman finished with 21 points while junior forward Danielle Brown (North Brunswick, N.J.) had 11 points and six rebounds. Sophomore Tiffany Patrick (Piscataway, N.J.) recorded seven points and four rebounds in her first action of the 2008-09 season.