Montclair, NJ- The Montclair State women's basketball team will honor the long-time Director of Sports Publicity, Mike Scala, and close out 2025 by hosting the Mike Scala Memorial Tournament on Monday and Tuesday
 
GAME INFO
The tournament will consist of Montclair State, Neumann, SUNY New Paltz, and Franklin & Marshall. On Monday, Montclair will face New Paltz at 4:00 p.m., with Franklin & Marshall taking on Neumann at 6:00 p.m. On Tuesday, Franklin & Marshall will play New Paltz at 12:00 p.m., with Montclair facing off with Neumann at 2:00 p.m. Live coverage of the game can be found at monclairstateathletics.com.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Montclair played last on December 19 down in the Puerto Rico Clasico, where they fell just short against Susquehanna, 63-61. The River Hawks held the early advantage in the first four minutes of the contest, but a layup from ALEXIS STROLLO and made free throws from ALYSSA CRAIGWELL helped them keep pace with the score at 7-4 Susquehanna. The River Hawks then used an 8-2 run to push out to a 15-6 advantage just before the halfway point in the quarter. After a jumper made by SAMANTHA PHILIPP, Susquehanna used another run of 10-3 to take a double-digit advantage. BELLA BRUCE closed the quarter out with a pair of free throws, and the Red Hawks fell behind, 25-13, in the opening frame. Bruce opened the second with a made layup, and makes from Craigwell and Philipp helped them get back to a single-digit deficit of 30-21 with six minutes remaining in the period. Susquehanna was able to stave off Montclair, however, and outscored them 10-5 down the stretch to take a 40-26 lead into the halftime intermission. The Red Hawks and the River Hawks battled back and forth in the third quarter. Bruce, Philipp, and Craigwell connected on consecutive field goals to cut the lead to 44-32 with a chance to get the lead back to single digits, but Susquehanna held them off with an 8-0 run to swing the game back in their favor, 52-34. Bruce and Philipp ended the quarter with two deep balls and narrowed the deficit to 52-40. Montclair came out of the blocks in the final quarter with a fantastic rally. Bruce kicked off the scoring in the quarter with a three-pointer and ignited a 9-2 run that cut the River Hawk lead to 54-49 with 6:38 remaining in the game. After another made free throw by Susquehanna, MADISON MARCOTTE led another run of 7-2 with a made three-pointer and a layup that tied the game at 56-56 with 2:56 remaining. Susquehanna retook the lead with a layup, but was answered by a Craigwell three to give Montclair its first lead of the game at 59-58. A made layup and a free throw pushed Susquehanna back up 61-59 with just 14 seconds remaining. Craigwell responded with a clutch make that tied the game with 11 seconds left, but Susquehanna broke through the defense for a layup in the next five seconds. With one last opportunity to either tie or secure the win, the Red Hawks couldn't find the shot they needed and dropped the thriller, 63-61.
 
TEAM LEADERS
MONTCLAIR STATE (7-3)
Points Per Game: ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, 18.0
Rebounds Per Game: ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, 7.7
Field goal percentage: ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, .486
Three Point Percentage: SAMANTHA PHILIPP, .429
Free throw Percentage: ALEXIS STROLLO, .875
Assists: ALEXIS STROLLO, 21
Steals: ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, 21
Blocks: Two Tied with 10
 
SUNY NEW PALTZ (5-1)
Points Per Game: Brianna Fitzgerald, 19.0
Rebounds Per Game: Brianna Fitzgerald, 8.2
Field goal percentage: Brianna Fitzgerald, .581
Three Point Percentage: Deanna Barry, .438
Free throw Percentage: Sierra Carter, .867
Assists: Karly Wittenbauer, 15
Steals: Karly Wittenbauer, 15
Blocks: Sierra Carter, 6
 
NEUMANN (2-7)
Points Per Game: Emily DuPont, 18.0
Rebounds Per Game: Emily DuPont, 9.3
Field goal percentage: Emily DuPont, .415
Three Point Percentage: Emily DuPont, .333
Free throw Percentage: Jess Aponik, .781
Assists: Jenna Aponik, 24
Steals: Elaina Guerzon, 23
Blocks: Emily DuPont, 17
 
FRANKLIN & MARSHALL (7-2)
Points Per Game: Lizzie Neville, 17.6
Rebounds Per Game: Gia Sioutis, 8.1
Field goal percentage: Lizzie Neville, .430
Three Point Percentage: Lizzie Neville, .375
Free throw Percentage: Two Tied with 1.000
Assists: Lizzie Neville, 24
Steals: Lizzie Neville, 21
Blocks: Gia Sioutis, 12
 
 
SCOUTING SUNY NEW PALTZ
The Hawks enter this tournament with a 5-1 record and won their last contest by a score of 60-41 against Oneota. In 2024-25, New Paltz went 17-10 and 15-3 in SUNYAC play to earn their spot in the conference tournament. They bested Oswego State in the semifinals, but were defeated in the championship by Cortland, 68-49.
 
SCOUTING NEUMANN
The Knights come into the tournament with a 2-7 overall record, but were winners their last time out, defeating York (Pa.), 58-45. Last season, Neumann compiled a 16-10 overall record with a 6-4 record in the Atlantic East. They earned a first-round bye and defeated Marymount, 60-57, to advance to the championship game, where they ultimately fell to Immaculata, 63-46. According to the 2025-26 Atlantic East Preseason poll, the Knights are projected to place third this season.
 
SCOUTING FRANKLIN & MARSHALL
The Diplomats arrive at the Panzer Athletic Center with a 7-2 overall record, but were defeated in their last matchup at Gettysburg, 62-41. Last season, F&M finished 15-10 and 6-8 in Centennial Conference play and missed out on the conference tournament. According to the Centennial Preseason Poll, the Diplomats are slated to finish sixth in 2025-26.
 
 
SERIES HISTORIES
Montclair and New Paltz will take each other on for just the fourth time, while they face Neumann for just the second. The Red Hawks have the series advantage over both teams with a 2-1 record against the Hawks and a 1-0 record against Neumann. While the two teams will not face each other in the tournament, Montclair is 1-0 against Franklin & Marshall.    
 
LAST MEETINGS
The last meeting between Montclair and New Paltz was back on December 12, 2012, where Montclair earned a 70-51 win at home.
 
The lone matchup between the Red Hawks and the Knights was back on December 29, 2021, where Montclair earned a 67-40 win.
 
The only contest between Montclair and Franklin & Marshall happened on January 2, 2010, in Arlington, VA. The Red Hawks bested the Diplomats by a score of 61-49.
 
UP NEXT
 
Montclair State University returns to NJAC competition for the rest of the regular season and will start 2026 with a matchup at New Jersey City on Wednesday, January 7, at 5:30 p.m.