Montclair, NJ (1/22/11) -  Senior forward KISANDRA AYANBEKU (Brockton, Mass./Randolph) had game-high totals of 17 points and 12 rebounds as Montclair State University posted a 57-44 victory over The College of New Jersey in a New Jersey Athletic Conference contest Saturday afternoon at the Panzer Athletic Center.

Ayanbeku, who recorded her eighth double-double performance of the season, scored 10 of her points in the second half, including the final three in a key run that blew open the game open for the Red Hawks.

Montclair State, which posted back-to-back wins for only the second time this season, improved its record to 9-9 overall and 3-4 in Conference play.

The game saw five lead changes, all in the first half, with six ties. TCNJ (9-8, 2-4 NJAC) held a five-point edge three times in the opening period, the last at 17-12 with 8:08 left in the opening period. But MSU came back, outscoring the Lions 16-8 to take a 28-25 advantage at halftime.

Montclair State never trailed in the second half. Tied at 35-35, the Red Hawks went on 13-1 run that put them ahead for good at 48-36 with 4:32 to play.  Sophomore forward COLLEEN KELLY (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills), who scored 14 points, had four points in the deciding outburst.

Freshman guard MICHELLE MONTAGNA (New Providence, NJ / New Providence) chipped in with six points and a game-high five assists.

Junior guard Jessica Imhof (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) and senior guard Keri Washington (Ewing, N.J./Pennington Prep) had 13 and 12 points, respectively, to top TCNJ, which suffered its third loss in its last four games.

Montclair State travels to play at New Jersey City while The College of New Jersey plays at Rowan in Conference action on Wednesday.