Union, NJ (1/18/03) - Kean University junior guard Kellie Rice (Willingboro, N.J.) scored 29 points and junior forward Shervon James (Clifton, N.J.) added 14 points and a career-high 21 rebounds, as the Cougars defeated Montclair State University, 77-59, in New Jersey Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon.

With the win, the Cougars improve to 13-2 overall, 8-0 in the NJAC, while the Red Hawks drop to 7-6 overall, 3-5 in the conference.

Rice had 15 points in the first half, shooting 5-of-8 from the floor and 3-of-5 from long range, as the Cougars built a 37-31 halftime lead. Freshman EBONY ALLEN (Camden, NJ) scored 14 points in the opening frame for Montclair State.

The Red Hawks opened the second half on a 13-2 run to take a five-point lead, 44-39, six minutes into the half fueled by seven points from sophomore guard DYETTE DILLARD (Willingboro, NJ). However, the Cougars responded with a 24-2 run over the next eight minutes to build 63-46 lead with 6:04 remaining, as James scored all 12 of her second-half points and added seven rebounds in the run.

Allen led MSU with 20 points, while Dillard added 19 points and three steals.