Union, NJ (1/19/05) – Montclair State University sophomore forward STEPHANIE MACHIN tallied a game-high 26 points to lift the Red Hawks past host Kean University, 66-58, in New Jersey Athletic Conference on Wednesday night. Montclair State improves to 9-6 and 4-4 in NJAC, while the loss drops the Cougars overall record to 6-11 and 3-5 in NJAC, while.

The Cougars built a 16-6 lead in the first 4:21 of the first half on a pair of layups by freshman forward Chari' Cooper and sophomore forward Chi Clark while senior guard Missy Magyar chipped in with a layup and a three point shot.

The Cougars never relinquished their lead and held a 32-29 margin at halftime, as Magyar led all scorers with 10 points at halftime. Machin tallied nine points and six rebounds for the Red Hawks in the first half.

Montclair State chipped away at the Cougars lead in the second half and eventually went ahead 50-49 at the 8:48 mark on a three point shot by Machin The Cougars took the lead back and pushed the advantage to four points, 57-53, on a jumper by Clark, however the Red Hawks closed the game on a 13-1 run to win the game.

In the victory, freshman guard JESSICA GARRABRANT tallied 10 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, while freshman forward MICHELLE MADEJ added 11 points and three steals. For the Cougars, Clark had 13 points and nine rebounds, while Magyar finished with 13 points and five assists.

Freshman guard Lashelle Harris scored all of her 13 points in the second half, and Cooper finished with a game-high 12 rebounds to go along with three blocks and three steals.

The Red Hawks return to action on Saturday, January 22 as they take on Rowan for the second time in 12 days. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 pm on Basketball Alumni Day and at halftime of the game the MSU Athletics Department will unveil its new logo. Montclair posted a 69-50 win over the Profs in Glassboro on January 10.