Cranford, NJ - On Saturday, January 18, 2025, UCNJ Athletics hosted its inaugural Alumni Event, *Brunch & Basketball*, bringing together past and present members of the UCNJ community for a day of networking, reminiscing, and thrilling basketball action. The event kicked off with a delicious brunch, where UCNJ alumni were invited back to campus to enjoy a meal and catch up with old friends and classmates. The brunch provided the perfect opportunity for alumni to reconnect and network with fellow graduates. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and school spirit having alumni back at UCNJ. 

Afterwards, attendees made their way to the Cranford Campus Gymnasium to cheer on the UCNJ Men's and Women's Basketball teams as they took on tough opponents. Both teams delivered impressive performances. The energy in the gym was electric, with alumni and current students showing their support for the Owls in full force.

UCNJ Women’s Basketball was up first in the doubleheader and delivered an impressive offensive performance, securing a dominant win against CCBC Catonsville with a score of 96-38. 

• Ore Ogunwolere had 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. She shot 6-13 from the field and added 9 steals, providing both scoring and defensive energy.
• Destiny Bynum Johnson led the team in scoring with 18 points, shooting 7-17 from the field and 3-3 from the free-throw line. She also added 5 rebounds and 8 steals.
• Hellary De Los Santos had an efficient outing, going 9-11 from the field for 21 points. She also grabbed 9 rebounds and added 2 assists.
• Amiyah Fulton made a significant impact off the bench, scoring 15 points, including 3 three-pointers out of 5 attempts, along with 2 rebounds and 2 assists.

UCNJ Men’s Basketball went up next versus Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, Owls take the victory with a score of 74-60. Key players of the game are:

• Nicolas Acosta led the way with 27 points, 18 rebounds and dishing out 5 assists.
• Joseph Gargiulo contributed 17 points, including 3 three-pointers out of 9 attempts, along with 3 assists and 5 steals.
• Jeremiah Saint Jean with 13 points, 20 rebounds, and 3 assists.
• Kanye Brown was efficient, going a perfect 2-2 from the field for 4 points, adding 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

The day was more than just basketball, it was about celebrating the UCNJ community - whether you are alumni, current student, professor, or staff. It was a day filled with memories, laughs, and new opportunities. UCNJ Athletics couldn’t have been more thrilled to host such a successful event. Marking the beginning of what UCNJ Athletics hopes will be a long tradition of bringing alumni and current UCNJ students together through events that highlight the power of community. 

Have you joined the UCNJ Student-Athlete Alumni Database? Join now by visiting www.unionowls.com/Alumni/Alumni_Contact_Form and stay tuned for more updates on future alumni events by visiting our athletics website at www.unionowls.com/Alumni/Alumni_Events

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GO OWLS! 

*Photos Below*