Montclair, NJ – Junior KAYLA BUSH recorded career-highs of 18 points and 13 rebounds to propel the Montclair State women's basketball team past Hunter College in the season-opener Tuesday.

The first quarter went back and forth before Montclair a 7-0 run late in the frame, with rookie NICOLE CARTER notching the final three points. Carter hit the layup and knocked down the free throw to the Red Hawks a five-point advantage.

Hunter ripped off a 6-0 spurt to open the second stanza and opened up their largest lead of the evening at 24-20 on a triple by Theresa Leung. Montclair held Hunter to just one field goal over the final 4:20 of the quarter and went on a 12-3 run to close out the frame. Bush and sophomore JULIA SUTTON each recorded seven points in the first half, with juniors TAYLOR BROWN and KIM CALLOWAY adding six points each.

The visiting Hawks shaved the deficit down to one point on a three-pointer by Phoebe Valenton, but Montclair answered with 14 of the next 16 markers over the next 4:33 to build a double-digit edge. Leading by eight entering the fourth and final quarter, MSU held Hunter to one basket over the first 5:35 to keep the Hawks at bay. With 2:28 remaining, Valenton converted from the charity stripe to pull the Hawks within five, but Bush and Carter hit jumpers to restore the eight-point final margin.

Brown added 14 points and six rebounds while Carter registered 11 points in her collegiate debut. Calloway filled the stat sheet with eight points, six assists, five steals, and four rebounds off the bench for Montclair State. Janine Conway had 14 points and eight rebounds for Hunter in the setback.

The Red Hawks return to the court Friday night, competing in the Trinity College Tip-Off Tournament. They will play Springfield College at 7 p.m. Friday and will take on host Trinity or Eastern Connecticut State University Saturday at either 1 or 3 p.m.