Newark, NJ – Senior guard KAYLA CEBALLOS scored 17 points as No. 12 Montclair State jumped out to a double-digit lead at halftime en route to a 69-51 victory over Rutgers-Newark at the Golden Dome on Wednesday evening.

The Red Hawks bounced back from their first loss of the season with sophomore forward Katie Seire added 13 points and four rebounds. Montclair State improved to 5-1 overall while remaining unbeaten in NJAC play at 3-0..

MSU scored the first 14 points of the game and never looked back its registered its ninth consecutive victory against the Scarlet Raiders and upped its record to 52-7 in the series history between the teams.

Sire scored the first two baskets of the game in the first 1:08 of the contest and a three-pointer bby RACHAEL KRAUSS made it 7-0 with 8:39 remaining. Ceballos added another three-pointer less than minute later and Sire sank two from the line before a layup by KATE TOBIE gave the Red Hawks a 14-0 lead with 6:58 left.  Another three by Krauss pushed the lead past 20 points at 21-3 and Ceballos connected once more from behind the arc as Montclair State led 27-11 after one period.

Back-to-back three-pointers from Ceballos and ZOE CURTIS extended Montclair's advantage to 42-18 near the midpoint of the second quarter with a three from freshman KIARRA DILLARD in the final minute sending MSU into the locker room with a 47-22 bulge at the break.

The Red Hawks shot 18-of-36 from the field in the first half (50 percent) and were a bit better from behind the arc sinking 9-of-17 attempts (53 percent). Conversely, MSU held the Scarlet Raiders to just 9-of-23 shooting (39 percent) and forced 14 turnovers in the first 20 minutes.

Rutgers-Newark would get no closer than 17 points the rest of the way.

Curtis finished with 12 points and three assists as MSU put three in double figures. Ceballos added three steals with Sire collecting three assists and two steals. Krauss pulled down six rebounds with Tobie adding four points, four rebounds and a team-best six assists. Twelve different players got into the scoring column for MSU.

Montclair State returns to action on Saturday, December 5 heading back out on the road. The Red Hawks travel to Mahwah, NJ to take on Ramapo College in the Bradley Center at 1:00 pm.