New York, NY (1/2/06)- Senior AMANDA MULLANEY scored 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds as Montclair State gave 11th-ranked New York University all it could handle before falling, 72-64, at the Coles Sports Center on Monday evening.

The Violets, currently ranked #11 in the most recent WBCA/ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll, improved to 9-0 this season.

After trading early baskets, Montclair State (5-5) took a 31-14 lead on FERIN CATLETT's layup with 4:47 remaining in the first half. MSU trailed 9-6, but scored the next 17 points to build its lead. MEGHAN KELLEY scored five points in the run while MARIANNE MCGOVERN and JESSICA GARRABRANT each added four.

However, the Violets responded with a 16-4 streak and pulled with 35-30 at halftime.

NYU's strong play continued in the second half as the team used a 13-5 run to take a three-point lead, 43-40, with 16:14 remaining. The Red Hawks immediately responded with a run of their own, taking a 52-43 with 12:45 remaining.

The Violets once again managed a streak, this one 16-2, as the squad grabbed a 59-54 lead on junior Stephanie Ryba's layup with 5:52 left. Junior Karen Bachman had seven points in that run.

NYU never trailed again, although Montclair State did tie the game at 61-61 with 3:48 left on STEPHANIE MACHIN's two free throws. However, Ryba's basket at 3:38 and her two free throws less than a minute later spearheaded an 8-0 run that gave NYU the victory.

Machin and Kelley finished with 11 points for the Red Hawks while Garrabrant had eight points, seven rebounds and three assists. Catlett also had eight points for MSU.

The Red Hawks return to action on Wednesday, January 4 as they travel to Camden, NJ to face the Scarlet Raptors of Rutgers-Camden. Tip-off of the New Jersey Athletic Conference matchup is slated for 6:00 pm.