MIDDLESEX COLLEGE TOPS SUSSEX 71-42 IN NJCAA REGION XIX PLAYOFF OPENER

Vanessa Rivas had a triple-double that included career highs in points (27) and blocks (10) as #8 Middlesex College topped #9 Sussex CC 71-42 in the opening round of the NJCAA Women's Basketball Region XIX Tournament.

The Colts (14-15) advance to face top-seeded RCSJ-Gloucester on Tuesday, February 28 in a quarterfinal matchup. Tipoff is set for 5:00PM.

Middlesex opened an early lead over the Skylanders (11-14) as Rivas and Franchesca Derilus (Sophomore/Port St. Lucie, FL) combined for 10 first quarter points to give Middlesex a 14-9 lead after one.

The Colts and Skylanders turned on the offense in the second quarter with each team scoring their highest point total.

Middlesex scored 22 points in the quarter on the strength of 10 points by Courtney Hansen (Freshman/Carteret, NJ). The Colts carried a 36-25 lead into the half.

The second half was more of the same from the Colts as they pulled away from Sussex on their way to a 29-point win.

Derilus scored 10 points in the third and Rivas scored her final 10 points in the fourth as Middlesex outscored Sussex 35-17 in the half.

In addition to Rivas' 27 points, Derilus scored 17 and Hansen ended with 12.