Union, NJ (2/23/04) - Kean University senior forward Shervon James (Brooklyn, N.Y.) recorded a double-double with 23 points and 17 rebounds and became the program's all-time leading rebounder, as the Cougars defeated visiting Montclair State University, 80-75, in the opening round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs on Monday evening. With the victory, the Cougars improved to 19-7 and will face The College of New Jersey in the semifinals. Montclair State fell to 20-6 on the year.

The Cougars jumped out to an early 10-point lead (16-6) just eight minutes into the contest, as freshman center Shannon Harrison (Plainfield, N.J.) scored nine points and sophomore guard Tahnisha Barge (Camden, N.J.) added five points in the early run. After forcing Montclair into 23 first-half turnovers, Kean built the lead to 17 points on a three-pointer by junior guard Missy Magyar (Iselin, N.J.), as the Cougars led 37-20 at haftime.

Harrison led the Cougars with 10 first-half points, while Barge and junior forward Shervon James (Brooklyn, N.Y.) had seven points apiece. For Montclair State, sophomore forward EBONY ALLEN (Camden, N.J.) and senior guard PAM BARONE (Staten Island, N.Y.) each had four points.

In the second half, the Cougars scored the first seven points of the period to quickly build a 24-point lead just 87 seconds into the period. Trailing by 21 points (50-29), the Red Hawks went on a 21-10 run to pull within 10 points with 8:47 remaining, as Montclair freshman center STEPHANIE MACHIN (New Providence, N.J.) netted eight points in the spurt.

The two teams battled over the next three minutes, and the Red Hawks would again pull within 10 points with 5:15 remaining on a layup by Machin, however the Cougars pulled away for the 15-point victory as Kean senior guard Kellie Rice (Willingboro, N.J.) scored six points and James added five points to seal the victory.

In the win, Rice added 18 points and five assists, while Harrison scored a career-high 16 points. Magyar had a solid all-around effort, dishing out a career-high 10 assists and adding eight points and four steals.

For Montclair State, Machin finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks, while sophomore center AMANDA MULLANEY (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Barone added 15 points and 13 points respectively.

The Cougars travel to Ewing, N.J. to face TCNJ on Wednesday, February 25, in a 7 p.m. semifinal contest.