Montclair, NJ- The #20 Montclair State University women's basketball team is set to host Rowan University for its NJAC opener on Tuesday evening.

GAME INFO 
Tip-off in Panzer Athletic Center is slated for 5:00 pm, with live stats and video links available on montclairathletics.com.  

LAST TIME OUT 
Montclair improved to 3-0 after an 80-71 win against Delaware Valley on The Red Hawks (3-0) opened the night with back-to-back buckets from BELLA BRUCE and ALYSSA CRAIGWELL before the Aggies embarked on a 14-4 scoring run over the next four and a half minutes to build a multi-possession advantage with 3:43 on the clock. Craigwell connected on a three off a feed from ALEXIS STROLLO, with Bruce converting a jumper on the next possession to push Montclair within one point. Strollo pushed for a layup with 67 seconds left to make the score 18-17 in favor of the visitors, as Craigwell sunk a pair of free throws in the waning moments to give the home side the advantage after 10 minutes. Montclair kicked off the second period with a layup from Craigwell and a jumper from Bruce to go up five before Delaware Valley equalized at the 7:29 mark. The Red Hawks countered with 12 consecutive points, led by five from Craigwell, to race out to a 35-23 lead with 3:33 remaining in the opening half. After the Aggies notched two free throws, SAMANTHA PHILIPP and SHANNON HUGHES hit back-to-back shots, as the Red Hawks would go into the break up by 18 on a three-point make from CELINA BUSSANICH. Both defenses tightened up at the start of the third quarter, with layups from Bruce and Strollo being the only makes over the opening five minutes of the period. The Aggies hit another pair of free throws shortly after, but Craigwell countered with a layup to make the score 49-27 with 4:35 on the clock. A minute later, Craigwell pushed the advantage to 14 before Delaware Valley closed the quarter with the final 10 points. The Red Hawks countered with 12 of the first 14 points of the final quarter, including seven from Philipp, to go up 63-39 with eight minutes to go. The Aggies countered with a 21-7 extended scoring run over the next 4:49 to trim the deficit to 10 with just over two and a half minutes on the clock. Craigwell answered on the ensuing possession with a layup, and Strollo converted two free throws to nudge the margin up to 14. The Aggies fought back to within nine with 34 seconds remaining, and could not get any closer down the stretch as Montclair secured the home victory.  
 
 
TEAM LEADERS 
MONTCLAIR STATE (3-0) 
Points Per Game: ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, 18.7
Rebounds Per Game: ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, 6.0
Assists Per Game: SAMANTHA PHILIPP, 2.0
Field Goal Percentage: SAMANTHA PHILIPP, .538
Three-Pointers Made: SHANNON HUGHES, 4
Steals: ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, 10
Blocks: ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, 6
  
DELAWARE VALLEY (1-1) 
Points Per Game: Abigail Jazmin, 10.8
Rebounds Per Game: Charlotte Carlies, 10.0
Assists Per Game: Abigail Jazmin, 7
Field Goal Percentage: Natalia Barrera, .550
Three-Pointers Made: Jess McLaughlin, 6
Steals: Three Tied for 6 
Blocks: Charlotte Carlies, 11

SCOUTING ROWAN
The Profs enter Tuesday evening's contest with a 3-1 record and a 0-0 mark in NJAC play. They rode a three-game winning streak into the matchup, most recently defeating Washington College, 63-52, on Saturday, November 11. Last season, they compiled a 17-9 overall season with a 13-5 record in NJAC play. They went into the NJAC Tournament as the fourth seed but were knocked off in the quarterfinals by Kean, 74-68. According to the 2025-26 NJAC Preseason Poll, the Profs are projected to finish third this season.
 
SERIES HISTORY 
Montclair holds a 58-39 lead in the all-time series against the Profs. Last season, the teams split their regular-season meetings, with each side defending its home court.

LAST MEETING 
The Red Hawks defeated Rowan, 69-61, on January 22, 2025. Strollo led the way with a career-high 18 points - her first time pacing the team in scoring this season. Montclair also connected on seven three-pointers in the victory.
 
UP NEXT 
Montclair State stays on its home court on Wednesday, December 3, when it welcomes William Paterson University to the Panzer Athletic Center. Tip-off of the NJAC showdown is scheduled for 5 p.m.