Montclair, NJ- The Montclair State women's basketball team remains home on Wednesday for a pivotal matchup against rival William Paterson.
GAME INFO
The conference showdown will take place in the Panzer Athletic Center at 5:00 pm. Live coverage of the game can be found at
montclairathletics.com
LAST TIME OUT
Montclair rallied with a 27-point final quarter to knock off Rowan, 64-57, this past Tuesday. The Red Hawks (4-0, 1-0 NJAC) fell behind by three on the game's first bucket, but countered on the ensuing possession as MADISON MARCOTTE found BELLA BRUCE for a layup at the basket. After Rowan extended the lead back to three a few minutes later, Bruce connected on a shot from long distance to equalize at five with 6:28 on the clock. The Profs answered with the final 10 points of the stanza to build a double-digit advantage after the opening 10 minutes. ALEXIS STROLLO converted a pair of free throws in the beginning stages of the second period before Rowan recorded back-to-back baskets to build a 12-point advantage. Montclair was able to cut the deficit to single digits on layups from CELINA BUSSANICH and MALVINA SULLIVAN, but the Profs slowly nudged back out by 11 with 3:09 left in the half on a shot from beyond the arc. SHANNON HUGHES hit a three-point shot and later knocked down two free throws to bring the Red Hawks within six, as Rowan scored with 50 seconds remaining to make it 26-18 at the break. The Profs notched a quick five points over the first two minutes of the third quarter to extend their lead to 13, but Montclair battled back with six of the next eight points, all from ALYSSA CRAIGWELL. With Rowan leading 35-24 at the 5:24 mark, the Red Hawks rattled off the ensuing five points on a pair of layups and a free throw from Strollo. The Profs pushed the game back to double-digits at 41-29 with two minutes remaining before Montclair closed on an 8-2 scoring run, including a crucial three-pointer from Strollo. Craigwell bolted out of the timeout with a quick five points in the fourth quarter's opening minute to bring the Red Hawks within one. Rowan extended the lead back to two possessions shortly after, but Montclair once again made a push offensively and took their first lead of the night with 4:49 on the clock on a three-point make from Bussanich. On the next trip up the court, Strollo sliced to the basket and converted an and-one opportunity to push the lead to four. Craigwell increased the lead to six on a layup with 41 seconds left, and would push it to a game-high seven in the waning moments to seal the victory.
TEAM LEADERS
MONTCLAIR STATE (4-0, 1-0 NJAC)
Points Per Game:
ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, 19.0
Rebounds Per Game:
ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, 5.5
Field goal percentage:
ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, .516
Three Point Percentage:
KRISTINA TURNER, 1.000
Assists:
SAMANTHA PHILIPP, 2.0
Steals:
ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, 2.5
Blocks:
ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, 6
WILLIAM PATERSON (5-0, 1-0 NJAC)
Points Per Game: Renee Wells, 20.6
Rebounds Per Game: Patty Walsh, 7.8
Field Goal Percentage: Leilani Pinder, .571
Three Point Percentage: Renee Wells, .471
Assists: Jada Jacobs, 22
Steals: Jada Jacobs, 18
Blocks: Patty Walsh, 4
SCOUTING WILLIAM PATERSON
The Pioneers enter the showdown with a 5-0 overall record and a 1-0 mark in NJAC play after defeating TCNJ, 64-54, last Tuesday. In 2024-25, William Paterson finished 21-9 overall and 14-4 in the NJAC before falling to Montclair State, 67-55, in the NJAC tournament semifinals. According to the 2025–26 NJAC Preseason Poll, the Pioneers are projected to finish fourth.
SERIES HISTORY
Montclair and William Paterson are just past the century mark in competitions as they face off for the 102nd time in their storied rivalry. The all-time series belongs to Montclair with a 62-40 record against William Paterson.
LAST MEETING
These teams last met in the NJAC Semifinals on February 26, 2025, in Montclair, N.J., where the Red Hawks defeated the Pioneers, 67-55, to advance to the NJAC finals.
UP NEXT
The Red Hawks will travel to Rutgers-Newark on Saturday, December 6, with tipoff scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
