Montclair, NJ- The Montclair State Women's Basketball team (10-3, 4-2 NJAC) snapped a six-game losing streak that they had against New Jersey City (3-9, 2-4 NJAC) with a 69-59 win on Wednesday evening.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 

• The Red Hawks put the pressure on the Gothic Knights early, jumping out to a 6-0 lead in the first minute of the game. After falling behind 10-4, NJCU battled back with seven unanswered points to take an 11-10 lead. Both teams battled to a 16-16 stalemate before the Gothic Knights closed out the first quarter with a 6-0 run that gave them a 22-16 lead at the quarter break.
• Montclair's second-quarter performance was the difference maker in the conference when they held Jersey City to just four points while collecting 19 of their own. Montclair posted a 13-0 run at the beginning of the quarter that saw three-pointers from ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, ALEXIS STROLLO, and SHANNON HUGHES. After a successful jumper from the Gothic Knights around the midway point in the period, the defense held strong for the next three minutes. Montclair closed out the final two minutes of the quarter with a 6-2 run that included a Strollo three with just 25 seconds left in the second and gave the Red Hawks a 35-26 lead at the end of the half.
• Both teams battled back and forth in the third quarter. Both teams exchanged buckets to begin the second half and after a 5-0 run for the Red Hawks, the Gothic Knights scored seven unanswered to cut the lead to 42-25 with 3:28 remaining in the third quarter. The two squads continued to exchange blows and the quarter ended with the Red Hawks taking a 50-41 lead into the fourth quarter. 
• A 7-2 run to begin the final quarter gave Montclair a comfortable 57-43 lead. While New Jersey City tried to mount a comeback, Montclair held firm and did not allow any sizeable runs that allowed NJCU to get back into the game and they were able to snap their six-game skid.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
 

• Four Red Hawks scored in double digits during the game. The team was led once again by Craigwell who scored 18 followed by OLIVIA VERO (16), Strollo (15), and SOPHIE BENEVENTINE (13).
• Beneventine continues to be a key distributor for the Red Hawks, posting a season-high nine assists in the game. She currently leads the NJAC in assists with 56.
• Creating turnovers was another big part of the win. The team generated a team-high 18 steals in the game. Craigwell led the way with four of them.
• Montclair also took advantage of their attempts at the charity strike, hitting a team-high 22 free throws in the night cap.

 
FROM THE COURT

• "Our hard-fought victory against such a physical team was a testament to our resilience. Every rebound was a battle, every drive to the basket was met with a wall of defenders. But we stood our ground, played with intensity, and refused to back down. Every battle is making us stronger!" Head Coach Karin Harvey.

 
NEXT UP
 

• Montclair State University will hit the road next on Saturday, January 11 for a 3:00pm slate at Stockton.