NEWARK, N.J. – Despite 46 combined points from Lauren Rau and Taylor Clark, the Lipscomb women’s basketball team fell at NJIT on Tuesday afternoon 80-67 at the Wellness and Events Center.

Rau caught fire in the fourth quarter, exploding for 18 of her career-high 27 points in the final frame to nearly lead Lipscomb (2-15, 0-4) to a comeback.

The junior point guard’s performance was the highest scoring outing of any Lady Bison so far this season and her 18-point fourth quarter was the most points any Lipscomb player has scored in a single quarter this season.

Clark’s third quarter nearly matched Rau’s fourth as she poured in 12 points, all on three-pointers and all assisted by Rau, in the third period. The sophomore finished the game with 19 points, just two short of her career high.

The second-half outbursts from Rau and Clark kept Lipscomb within striking distance, but NJIT (4-12, 2-1) was able to pull away at the end.

In addition to her scoring prowess, Rau also led the team with four assists and three steals.

BISON TIDBITS:                                                                                   

• Rau shot 8-12 from the field, 2-3 from the three-point line, and 9-12 from the free throw line.
• Clark went 7-19 from the field, 5-10 from three-point range, and attempted no free throws.
• Clark added seven rebounds and a block to her scoring tally.
• Freshman Jane Deason led Lipscomb in rebounding with nine, including eight on the defensive glass.
• NJIT out-rebounded Lipscomb 42-36, and had 24 assists to Lipscomb’s 9.  
• Lipscomb scored 18 points off 18 turnovers and notched nine second-chance points.
• Eight Lady Bisons played 10 or more minutes, led by 36 from Rau.
• Lipscomb shot 13-17 from the free throw line.

UP NEXT:

Lipscomb will have a week off before heading to Florida for a pair of ASUN games. They will face FGCU on Jan. 22 and Stetson on Jan. 26.