Wayne, NJ – Senior forward ALEX MCKINNON scored the final three points capping a game-ending 10-1 run as Montclair State got past William Paterson 60-55 in the NJAC opener for both teams at the WPU Rec Center on Tuesday evening.

Freshman NICOLE CARTER tallied a team-best 19 points while KAYLA BUSH added a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds as the Red Hawks (3-2, 1-0 NJAC) overcame a six-point deficit in the final period to register its second straight victory.

Madison Dulude pumped in a game-high 26 points for the Pioneers (1-3, 0-1).

The Pioneers led 45-44 entering the fourth and got the lead up to six point as Dulude scored on a layup with 7:36 left making the score 50-44. Dulude would score again with just over four minutes to play as WPU led 54-50 however the Red Hawks scored seven of the next eight points to take the lead for good.

Bush hit a jumper in the paint pulling MSU within two and a three by TAYLOR BROWN with 2:37 to play put Montclair on top 55-54. Bush added another bucket inside with 43 ticks extending the lead to three. Dulude sank one at the line with 12 seconds for a 57-55 Montclair advantage. William Paterson fouled and McKinnon hit one for a three-point contest with 11 seconds left.

WPU turned the ball over with six seconds showing and fouled McKinnon again. The senior sank both chances at the stripe to all but seal the victory for MSU.

Carter added a pair of rebounds and three assists while McKinnon added six rebounds and three assists. Brown totaled eight with Bush knocking away three shots as she registered her third double-double of the young season.

Montclair State is now off until Monday, December 2 when it goes back out on the road. The Red Hawks will be in Hoboken, NJ taking on Stevens at 7:00 pm.