Bronx, NY – The Montclair State women's basketball team (2-0) saw itself behind for most of its road trip at Lehman (1-2), but was able to complete the rally and hold on for a 64-59 win on Wednesday night.
How It Happened

• The Lightnings' defense caught the Red Hawks off guard early, generating four steals in the first quarter within the first four minutes of the first quarter, which propelled them to a 10-0 lead. A three from SAMANTHA PHILIPP and a lay-in from ALEXIS STROLLO halved the lead, but Lehman scored the next two buckets to hold a 14-5 advantage. A 7-0 run got Montclair to within two at the 3:24 mark, but Lehman held them from taking the lead with a deep ball on its next possession. The two teams exchanged points down the stretch, and Lehman held a 21-16 advantage heading into the second quarter.
• No team was able to find a basket in the first two minutes of the second frame. Lehman scored the first points of the quarter at 7:44, and the two teams traded through the halfway point in the period. Down 29-22, the Red Hawks used three pointers by BELLA BRUCE and CELINA BUSSANICH and connected five free throws for an 11-3 stretch to finish the half and take a 33-32 edge into the second half.
• ALYSSA CRAIGWELL kicked off the third frame for Montclair with a layup and a three-pointer that gave them a 38-34 advantage. The Lightning rallied back themselves, with two buckets and converting on all six free-throw attempts to swing the game back in their favor, 44-40. After another Lehman free throw at the 4:24 timestamp, neither team was able to find a bucket until Bussanich scored the last points of the third quarter at the 1:23 mark, and Lehman held a 47-44 lead heading into the final quarter.
• After both teams exchanged points early, layups from MADISON MARCOTTE and Strollo tied the game at 50-50, and a Lightning layup was answered by a SHANNON HUGHES three to put the Red Hawks up 53-52. Lehman retook the lead on a jumper with just over half the quarter left, but a free throw from Bruce and a and-one conversion from Craigwell helped them gain control at 57-54. Despite a few attempts, Lehman was never able to regain control, and Montclair completed the rally by a score of 64-59.

Inside the Numbers

• Craigwell led the team in points with 14 to go along with six rebounds and two blocks.
• Montclair won the rebounding battle, 47-33, and saw 19 offensive rebounds in the game. Marcotte and Philipp both saw team highs with seven. Philipp also saw a career-high nine points in the game on 3-for-4 shooting and hit both of her three-point attempts.
• Bruce and Strollo both saw double-digit scoring efforts on the evening. Bruce finished with 11 and Strollo right behind with 10. Strollo was also tied for the team lead in assists (2) and steals (2).

From the Court

• "This was a tremendous team effort. I'm really proud of how we battled and how our rebounding in the second half made all the difference. We're continuing to grow every game and starting to find our chemistry as a team – it's exciting to see it coming together." Head coach Karin Harvey

 
Up Next

• Montclair has a week to prepare for its next game on Wednesday, November 19, when it welcomes Delaware Valley for a 5:00 p.m. tip-off.