Jersey City, N.J. (January 10, 2010) – The Montclair State women's basketball team knocked off NJCU 71-54 in NJAC action Wednesday.

The Red Hawks move to 10-5 and 4-1 in the NJAC while NJCU dips to 2-11, 0-4 in conference.

The Gothic Knights pulled to within two at the 7:42 mark of the first half, but RHONDA SHARIF connected on a three-pointer the next trip down to push the lead back to five. Montclair would tally the final five points of the frame, the final three on a triple by JAIME ERICSON with two seconds left to give MSU a 36-26 lead entering the break.

NJCU began the second half with seven consecutive markers, keeping MSU off the board for the first 2:19 of the period. Sharif broke the drought with a three to kickstart a 9-0 Red Hawk spurt. After NJCU brought the lead to single digits at 45-36, a 22-3 Red Hawk run broke the game open. The hosts tallied just one field goal over 10 minutes of game action, as MSU forced 10 turnovers during the second period.

CATHERINE CRISTINO paced MSU with 15 points, as RHONDA SHARIF added 14 including four three-pointers. JACKIE BERRY filled the stat-sheet with seven points, seven assists, and 11 boards. Ashley Freeman led NJCU with 15 points, as Latifah Johnson recorded 12 points in the setback.