Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State women's basketball team used a 21-8 run over the final 6:42 to pull away from York College (Pa.) 67-54 in the Championship Game in the MSU Holiday Tournament Sunday.

Freshman NICKIE CARTER was named the Tournament's Most Valuable Player after scoring 20 points. Over the two-game tournament, Carter averaged 22.5 points. Senior ALEX MCKINNON joined Carter on the All-Tournament Team after averaging 14.0 points and six rebounds in the two victories. York (6-5) saw Kayla Ferris and Alana Bortner named to the All-Tournament squad, joining Hartwick's Mary Schoenherr and Bethany's Courtney Walker. Hartwick topped Bethany 58-53 in the Consolation Game.

McKinnon knocked down two triples in the first six minutes to give the Red Hawks (7-4) a small 8-6 edge. A Carter jumper with 1:03 remaining in the opening frame capped off a 6-0 Red Hawk rally, but the Spartans notched the next seven to level the game at 13. Montclair took their biggest lead of the opening half thanks to a jumper from junior RYLEE MULLIGAN, but York ended the second period with 10 of the final 11 points to take a 27-26 advantage into halftime.

The Spartans attempted to break things open into the third quarter, as a Molly Day jump shot 1:27 gave the visitors an eight-point lead. Carter drained a three-pointer to trim the deficit to a point a 38-37 before a CERYS MACLELLAND layup at the 1:52 mark pushed the Red Hawks back in front briefly at 43-42. York's Sammie Matteo converted off a steal with 16 seconds to give the visitors a three-point edge entering the final frame.

McKinnon leveled the contest at 46 with a triple before a Day basket gave the Spartans a 48-46 lead with 6:42 left. It was all Red Hawks after that, as junior KAYLA BUSH got things started with a layup and a free throw for the conventional three-point play. That gave the Red Hawks a lead they would not relinquish, with Carter and junior TAYLOR BROWN hitting three-pointers during the run. Montclair was aided by 11 successful free throws down the stretch to establish the final 13-point margin.

McKinnon matched Carter with a game-high 20 points in addition to pulling down six boards. Bush added nine points and 13 rebounds, including eight on the offensive glass. The Red Hawks converted a season-high 19 free throws in shooting 19-of-23 from the charity stripe.

The Red Hawks return to action on Friday, opening 2020 with a matinee tip-off against the Stevens Institute of Technology at 3 pm in Hoboken, NJ. The game was initially scheduled for December 2 but was rescheduled due to snow. Montclair has won the last eight meetings between the two sides, including a 62-58 victory at the Panzer Athletic Center last year.