Ewing, NJ – Freshman NICKIE CARTER tallied a game-high 23 points to lead the Montclair State women's basketball team to a 52-38 triumph over The College of New Jersey in New Jersey Athletic Conference play Saturday.

The Red Hawks (16-4, 11-2 NJAC) avenged an overtime setback to Lions (13-7, 10-3 NJAC) earlier this season and extended their winning streak to 11 games. The 38 points allowed were the second-fewest scored by an opponent this season.

Senior ALEX MCKINNON netted the first five points of the afternoon for the Red Hawks, who never trailed on the day. A Carter three extended the lead to 12-4, but TCNJ ended the first quarter with the final seven points to trail by just a point entering the second quarter. The Red Hawks outscored the Lions 19-4 in the second stanza, pushing the lead to double-digits. Montclair opened the frame with the first six points on threes from TAYLOR BROWN and Carter and the Lions without a field goal for nearly six minutes midway through. TRISHA PETERSON capped off the scoring with a layup to send Montclair into halftime with a 10-point lead.

The Lions cut into the Red Hawk lead during the middle stretch of the third quarter, with Rachel Gazzola scoring six points during a run to trim the gap to 31-24. Once again, the Montclair defense tightened up, limiting TCNJ to just one basket over the final 4:39 of the quarter. TCNJ went 0-for-5 from the field during that stretch, and the Lions were unable to any closer than nine points the rest of the afternoon.

Carter went 8-for-12 from the free-throw line while also grabbing four rebounds in the victory. MSU held a commanding 57-27 edge in rebounds, including 22 on the offensive glass. Junior KAYLA BUSH hauled in 14 boards, while Brown and CERYS MACLELLAND each had 11. Gazzola and Shannon Devitt combined for 29 of the Lions 38 points.

The Red Hawks return to the Panzer Athletic Center on Wednesday, hosting New Jersey City University at 6 p.m.