Montclair, N.J. – (2/22/06) Sophomore guard Sara Best, who finished with 10 points, sank a pair of free throws with nine seconds left to cap an 8-0 run over the final two-plus minutes as third-seeded The College of New Jersey toppled second seed Montclair State University, 49-43 in the semifinals of the New Jersey Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Tournament at Panzer Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.

 Erin Frank had 11 points and 10 rebounds as the Lions (18-8) now advance to the championship game on Friday, February 24 at top-seeded Richard Stockton. Stockton defeated fourth-seeded William Paterson, 57-52 in the other semifinal. New Jersey will be seeking its third conference title as it captured crowns in 2001 and 2004. The winner receives the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

STEPHANIE MACHIN had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Red Hawks (17-9), who dropped their sixth straight NJAC Tournament game. It was also MSU's first loss to the Lions in the NJAC Tournament after three straight victories in 1987, 1989 and 1990 – all at home. Montclair State will now await its post-season fate. Bids for the NCAA Division III Tournament will be announced on Sunday, February 26 with the pairings for the ECAC Metro Tournament announced on Monday.

 The Lions reversed the result from a week ago when it dropped a 47-37 decision to MSU, a victory that gave the Red Hawks the No. 2 seed. This time around it was TCNJ who would come out ahead as it went a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line down the stretch. Trailing 42-39, Best hit two free throws to cut the lead one with 2:40 to play. Montclair's JESSICA GARRABRANT countered with one foul shot to make the score 43-41, however, Tiara Simpkins tie the game at 43-43 with two free throws.

 After two Montclair State misses, Danica Miller was fouled with 1:06 remaining. She calmly stepped to the line and sank both attempts putting the Lions in front, 45-43. A turnover by the Red Hawks and subsequent foul with 22 seconds to play put Simpkins at the line again. She hit both of her chances to extend the lead to 47-43. MSU tried to rally, but could not connect on three attempts from the field. Best then capped the game-ending run with her two free throws.

In a battle of two of the conference's top defensive teams, neither team was able to find their shooting touch as the teams shot a combined 31-of-104 (29 percent) from field, including 3-of-23 from three-point range. TCNJ got the better of the shooting percentage going 17-of-55 (31 percent) from the floor while Montclair State managed just 26 percent (14-of-53).

New Jersey held an 18-17 halftime lead, however, Montclair State was able to turn that into a five-point advantage in the first four minutes of the half as Garrabrant's short jumper made the score, 28-23. The Lions would fight back with a 9-0 run to take a 32-28 lead on Alex Shields' three-pointer. MSU would retake the lead twice more, the final time at 39-37 on a basket by Garrabrant. Two foul shots by Garrabrant gave Montclair the 42-39 lead setting the stage for the final two-plus minutes.

Breanne Depken ( had eight points and three rebounds for New Jersey, which went 13-of-16 at the foul line for the game. Garrabrant had nine points and 10 rebounds for Montclair State while FERIN CATLETT added five points and four rebounds.