Montclair, NJ- The Montclair State Women's Basketball team (9-3) wrapped up their non-conference schedule on Saturday afternoon when they bested Lehman, 74-34.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 

• The Red Hawks' offense had its best showing in the game's opening quarter. After both teams exchanged two and three-pointers, ALEXIS STROLLO notched a three-pointer to spark a 7-0 run for Montclair to take a 12-5 lead in the first half of the first quarter. Lehman cut the distance to 14-10 with 3:30 remaining but an 11-0 run down the stretch gave Montclair a 25-10 lead heading into the second quarter. Strollo was hot in the opening quarter, shooting 4-for-4 with three shots coming from beyond the arc.
• Montclair's defense dominated in the second quarter, holding Lehman to just three points while collecting 16 of their own and went into the half up 41-13. ALYSSA CRAIGWELL and BRIANNA MONTAJES each had six points in the quarter.
• After a successful Lightning jumper, scored nine unanswered points with Craigwell accounting for six of them to hold a 50-15 lead in the first three minutes of the third quarter. Montclair scored seven points to Lehman's six points the rest of the quarter to make the score 58-21 heading into the final frame.
• The fourth quarter saw a more even contest. The Red Hawks generated a 9-5 run up until the midway point in the quarter. After a successful layup from AMANDA CASTRO and a made free throw from Lindsey Ross, the Lightning capped off the game with a 9-3 run and the Red Hawks took a 74-34 win inside the Panzer Athletic Center.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
 

• Craigwell notched back-to-back games with 20+ points when with 22 tonight. She currently leads the NJAC at this point in the season in points per game with 15.8.
• Strollo finished 6-for-9 and 3-for-6 from deep to post a career-high 17 points in the win.
• OLIVIA VERO played an essential part in the victory, nabbing a team-high 13 rebounds as well as collecting six assists which was tied with SOPHIE BENEVENTINE for the most in the contest. She is currently third in the league in rebounds, averaging 8.0 a game.

 
FROM THE COURT

• "Great win today. Lex stepped up big time and her performance was a game-changer. Our defense was relentless and it really set the tone for the game. Looking forward to carrying the momentum forward into conference play!" Head Coach Karin Harvey.

 
NEXT UP

• Montclair State University will enter NJAC play for the remainder of the season, starting with New Jersey City on Wednesday, January 8 with tip-off for that game scheduled for 5:30 pm.