UNION, N.J. – (2/18/06) Montclair State University's FERIN CATLETT scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds as the Red Hawks secured a 77-71 victory over Kean University in NJAC women's basketball action on Saturday afternoon.

With the win, MSU improved to 17-8 overall and finished 14-4 in conference play, its best NJAC mark since the 1998-99 season. MSU will host either Rutgers-Newark of The College of New Jersey in the NJAC Tournament semifinals on Wednesday, February 22 at 7:00 pm.

Montclair eased out to 39-31 halftime lead behind seven points by Catlett and six points each from CYNTHIA WARRINGTON and Stepahnie Machin.

In the second half, MSU increased its lead to 49-36 with 15:34 left in the half. Kean would rally and eventually trimmed the deficit to 54-53 on a jumper by Kim Smith with 10:12 left. Montclair would scored the next seven points to push its lead back to 61-53 and with 3:30 left in the game MSU led 70-61. The Cougars would once again mount a charge and on a pair of free throws by Smith, KU trailed by just one point with 54 seconds remaining. However, MSU would score the final five points of the game from the foul line to ice the game.

For the Red Hawks, AMANDA MULLANEY had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds and JESSICA GARRABRANT added 10 points and four steals. Machin was plagued by foul trouble the whole game and fouled out with just six points in nine minutes of action.

For Kean, Melissa Beyruti led all scorers with 19 points, including four threes, while Smith finished with her second career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Chi Clark added 10 points with four rebounds in the loss.