Montclair, N.J. (March 8, 2008) – The Montclair State women's basketball team outscored FDU-Florham 34-16 in the first half en route to a 74-65 victory in the ECAC Metro Tournament Semifinals.

With the win, MSU improves to 19-10 and will host Stevens tomorrow. FDU-Florham ends its season at 18-11.

Montclair wasted little time, opening a 12-0 lead over the first 6:37. A jumper by the Devils Shealyn Taggart brought the lead down to nine, but MSU tallied 11 of the final 13 points to open the 18-point halftime advantage.

Montclair State forced 18 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes, while JESSICA GARRABRANT led the way with 14 points and eight rebounds. MSU limited FDU to just 3-of-16 shooting in the first half.

The lead hovered around 20 points for the beginning of the second half, but FDU went on a little spurt and whittled the score down to just seven points at 53-46. MSU called timeout and it paid off as they scored seven of the next nine points to put the game away. Garrabrant and MARIANNE MCGOVERN each chipped in a pair of free throws down the stretch to close it out.

Both Garrabrant and McGovern tallied 20 points, with Garrabrant adding 11 rebounds. JAMILEE PFLUG tallied 10 points and six steals as the Red Hawks forced 30 turnovers. Emily Cerankowski poured in a game high 24 points, while Courtney Young and Danielle Michlovsky combined for 24 points.