JERSEY CITY N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University owns a winning record at the holiday break for the first time in 15 years and sophomore power forward Bria Smith(Bayonne, NJ/St. Dominic Academy) is one of the major reasons why. One of the top newcomers in the nation last year continued to be an undefendable double-double producer, notching a career-high 23 rebounds, 19 points and six blocked shots in 33 minutes and NJCU never trailed as the Gothic Knights rang up Purchase College, 66-57, in a non-conference women's basketball game on December 13 at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (Coach Charlie Brown Court).

Smith produced her fourth consecutive double-double, sixth of the season and 16th of her career—and achieved the feat by halftime. Smith, who grabbed her 10th rebound midway through the first half (9:38) needed just 12:52 of court time to notch a double-double in the first half. She finished with 12 offensive and 11 defensive caroms, shooting 7-of-13 from the field (5-8 FT), with a pair of assists.

NJCU improved to 5-4, winning its second straight and is over .500 at the end of December for the first time since going 7-3 to start the 1998-99 season. Purchase (2-7) dropped its third straight. It was the first-ever meeting between the schools in women's basketball in a contest moved from Purchase, N.Y. to Jersey City on Thursday due to a facility issue.

Smith had 12 rebounds, 10 points, three blocks and two assists in the first half as the Knights jumped out to a 10-2 advantage in the first five minutes, never trailed and led 29-22 at the break.

Junior guard Kiana Briggs (Paterson, NJ/Passaic County Tech) added 16 points (7-20 FG) and seven rebounds and junior forward Deseree Johnson (Red Bank, NJ/Monmouth Regional) collected a double-double of 10 points (4-11 FG, 2-6 3FG), 10 rebounds and two assists.

Coming off a career-high 25 points on Wednesday, senior guard Jade Medley (Queens, NY/Hudson Catholic) added four more three pointers and finished with 13 points (4-11 3FG) and five rebounds. Senior point guard Mesha Laguerre(Union, NJ/Union) chalked up half of NJCU's assists, dishing eight helpers—the most by a women's player since 2010-11.

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