Essex Women Grind Out Home Win Over Howard CC

NEWARK, NJ - A strong defensive effort and balanced scoring, the Essex County College women's basketball team earned a 67–50 victory over Howard Community College Tuesday night in conference play.

The Wolverines (11–4, 6–3) set the tone on the defensive end, holding Howard to just 37.7 percent shooting and forcing 20 turnovers, which fueled transition opportunities throughout the game. Essex used its pressure to build control early and never relinquished the lead.

Offensively, Essence Cushionberry delivered a standout performance, finishing with a team-high 17 points and nine rebounds while shooting 6-of-10 from the field. She consistently scored around the basket and provided a steady presence inside.

Aniya Brown added 15 points and six assists, showcasing her versatility as she knocked down three shots from beyond the arc and created scoring chances for teammates. Mia-Marie Thomas chipped in 10 points, along with four steals, helping disrupt Howard's rhythm on both ends of the floor.

Essex dominated the glass, outrebounding Howard 40–28, with key contributions off the bench from Michelle Hernandez, who grabbed nine rebounds, and Kayley Lynch, who posted seven points, eight rebounds, and three steals in an energetic all-around effort.

Despite cold shooting stretches, the Wolverines maintained composure, using second-chance points and defensive stops to extend the margin in the second half. Essex sealed the win with consistent execution down the stretch.

The next game will be home January 17th vs Delaware Technical Community College at 12pm.