Montclair, NJ- The Montclair State Women's Basketball team (7-3) suffered their first home loss of the season when they were tripped up by visiting Shenandoah, 81-70 on Monday afternoon.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 

• The first quarter saw a competitive start with both teams continuously exchanging points. After three tied scores within the first four minutes of the game, Shenandoah jumped out to a 12-7 advantage but did not hold the slight edge for long as a three-pointer from ALYSSA CRAIGWELL sparked a 7-2 run to tie the score 14-14 with 3:36 left to go in the first. The Hornets produced an 8-0 run right after to create a 22-14 gap for the Red Hawks. An OLIVIA VERO and a BRIANNA MONTAJES three cut the lead to four but the Hornets hit a buzzer-beater two and took a 24-18 lead into the next quarter.
• Shenandoah spent the second half growing their lead and holding off any Montclair comeback attempt. The closest the Red Hawks got to closing in on the Hornets was a 33-30 score after a LYNDSEY ROSS three, however, that sparked an 11-0 run that gave Shenandoah a 44-30 lead with 1:21 remaining in the first half. SHANNON HUGHES scored the last bucket of the half and the Hornets held a 44-32 edge going into the second half.
• The Red Hawks used the third quarter to climb back into the game. After it seemed that Shenandoah was going to run away with the game at a score of 52-36 with 5:33 left in the third quarter, Montclair went on an 18-7 run down the stretch to narrow the deficit to just a 59-54 Shenandoah lead. Free throws played a crucial role for the Red Hawks when they saw 15 opportunities and converted 12 of them.
• Both teams exchanged four points in the first minute and a half of the fourth quarter. After a mad free throw by the Hornets, Craigwell converted an and-one and SOPHIE BENEVENTINE hit a three to tie the contest at 64-64 with 5:59 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Hornets reclaimed the lead 66-64 on their next possession and continued to fend off the Red Hawks attack. The closest Montclair got was 70-68 after an ALEXIS STROLLO layup but the team could only find one bucket down the stretch as opposed to Shenandoah's 11 and they eventually fell, 81-70

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Craigwell once again showed out for the Red Hawks, leading the team with 25 points while also tallying five rebounds, two blocks, and a steal.
• Beneventine had her most prolific day for the Red Hawks. She posted a season-high 15 points and led the team in rebounds (7), assists (7), blocks (3), and tied for steals (2).
• Vero posted her seventh double-digit scoring effort of the season with 15 points to go along with six rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

 
FROM THE COURT

• "Today we played a top 25 team that was extremely talented and well coached. We learned a few things that we will correct and help us moving into the new year. Tough loss but looking to bounce back on Saturday against Lehman!" Associate Head Coach Katie Sire.

 
NEXT UP

• Montclair State University will have a bounce-back opportunity on Saturday, January 4 when they play host to Lehman for a 1:00 pm game.