Montclair, NJ – The #16 Montclair State University women's basketball team fell to William Paterson 65-60 on Wednesday night at the Panzer Athletic Center.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (4-1, 1-1 NJAC) traded buckets with the Pioneers early before the visitors notched back-to-back makes to go up 8-4 with 5:26 on the clock. Trailing by five two minutes later, Montclair tallied four of the next five points on a free throw from BELLA BRUCE and a three-point shot from SHANNON HUGHES to get within one possession with two minutes remaining. Hughes slashed in for another layup to make the score 18-15, but the Pioneers countered with a pair of free throws on the ensuing possession. ALYSSA CRAIGWELL recorded the final points of the stanza on a driving layup to once again cut it to one possession.
• William Paterson jumped out to a 24-17 advantage two minutes into the second period and led by seven as the quarter approached its halfway mark as part of a 6-2 run. SAMANTHA PHILIPP knocked down a shot from long range on the next possession, and MADISON MARCOTTE converted a layup to bring the Red Hawks within two with 4:29 on the clock. A little over a minute later, Craigwell found Bruce for a bucket to level the contest at 29. The visitors pushed back out to a two-possession lead later on in the stanza, with ISABELLA ORLANDO hitting two free throws in the final minute to make the halftime margin three.
• Montclair took their first lead since the opening moments 62 seconds into the third frame on four points from Craigwell. The two sides traded buckets before William Paterson reopened a three-point lead with 6:03 on the clock. Layups from Strollo and Bruce provided the immediate counter for the Red Hawks, who regained the lead at 44-43 with just under three minutes remaining. Orlando tied the game at 45 with 31 seconds left, as Hughes tallied a fastbreak layup in the waning seconds to go into the final period up two.
• Early in the fourth, Craigwell hit a jumper before Philipp converted a layup to push their advantage to 53-49 at the 6:29 mark. Strollo hit three free throws over the next minute to extend the lead for the home side to a game-high seven. William Paterson embarked on a 11-2 scoring run over the next 3:51 to jump out in front 60-58 with 60 seconds on the clock. The Pioneers hit five free throws down the stretch to seal the road victory.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• The Red Hawks put four in double-figures, led by Craigwell with 15 points and nine rebounds, marking a new-season high on the boards.
• Bruce amassed 14 points and six rebounds, her fourth double-digit scoring game this season. 
• Strollo notched 11 points and five boards, with Hughes rounding out the group with a season-best 10 points.

FROM THE COURT

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UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will travel to face Rutgers-Newark on Saturday, December 6. Tip-off from Newark, NJ is scheduled for 4:00 PM.