Montclair, NJ - Sophomore forward KATIE SIRE scored 19 points and grabbed 17 rebounbds as No. 12 Montclair State pulled away in the second half for a 77-62 win over Ithaca College in the season opener for both teams at the Panzer Athletic Center on Sunday.

Senior guard KAYLA CEBALLOS scored all 19 of her points in the second half as Montclair (1-0) turned a one-point halftime deficit into a 15-point victory while winning theri season opener for the fifth consecutive year. The game marked the first matchup between the Bombers and Red Hawks since 1995 and just the third overall. MSU has taken two of the three meetings.

Montclair State jumped out to a 16-3 lead after the first quarter. After Ithaca's Julie Yacovaoni tie the score at 2-2, MSU ran off the next 14 points. Sire scored on a layup and RACHAEL KRAUSS connected from behind the arc before back-to-back layups by KATE TOBIE made the score 11-2. Sire added two more free throws before a three-pointer by ZOE CURTIS with 27 seconds left boosted the lead to 16-2.

The Bombers battled back in the second chipping away at the lead via the free throw line where it was 13-of-16 in the quarter. Alex Gilligan cut the lead to 18-9 with two free throws and a three-pointer by Keri Steele pulled the Bombers within 22-18 with 4:15 to play. Ali Ricchiuti later gave Ithaca its first lead a 25-24 on a layup before Montclair jumped back in front 30-28 on a layup by Sire with 34 seconds remaining. Gilligan his one at the stripe with 18 seconds remaining and Steele made two with two second left giving Ithaca 31-30 advantage at the half.

In the second half, Montclair's shooting came alive as the Red Hawks connected on 15-of-30 from the field including 6-of-8. Cebllos had the hot hand in the final two quarters making 7-of-9 attempts from the field and all five three-pointer tries. After Jordan Beers gave Ithaca a 34-30 lead, Montclair State scored 25 of the next 33 points in the game to build a 55-38 lead. Ceballos had tow three's during a 10-0 run and her three pointser with 3:29 to play make the score 49-38. Sire added two foul shots and Ceballos' finish on the break put MSU in front by 17 before the Red Hawks settled for a 58-44 advantage after three quarters.

Montclair maintined the lead in the fourth which never dipped below 12 points. Ricchiuti hit a jumper to make the score 60-48 but Ceballos drained a three and four points off the bench by YAZMINE LACEY extended the lead to 70-51 with 5:26 left. Freshman KIARRA DILLARD would give the Red Hawks  their largest lead at 76-54 with 3:14 remaining.

Sire also added three assists to complete her day. Krauss had nine points, eight rebounds and four assists with ZOE CURTIS chipping in with seven and Lacey six along with five boards. Tobie added six points and five rebounds.

The Red Hawks go right back to work on Monday evening as Montclair State will be in Poughkeepsie, NY taking on Vassar College at 7:00 pm.