Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University women's basketball team concluded its nonconference slate with a 76-62 victory over Neumann on the second day of the Mike Scala Memorial Classic on Tuesday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (8-4) opened with nine of the game's first 11 points, a run capped off by a driving layup from ALYSSA CRAIGWELL at the 6:59 mark. Neumann countered on the ensuing possession coming out of a timeout, but the Red Hawks answered immediately with a three-point shot from SAMANTHA PHILIPP. Consecutive baskets from the Knights cut the game to a four-point margin shortly after, as the home side rattled off nine-straight points to respond with three and a half minutes remaining. Montclair led by as many as 13 down the stretch of the period and would hold a 26-14 advantage after 10 minutes of play.
• Neumann chipped into the deficit in the beginning stages of the second stanza with a 9-3 scoring run that was halted by a long distance shot from BELLA BRUCE. The two sides traded baskets before the Red Hawks reopened a double-digit advantage on consecutive layups from Philipp and SHANNON HUGHES at the 3:13 mark of the half. On the following trip up the floor, KATIE DICHTER knocked down two free throws to increase the lead to a half-high 15 points. The Knights closed the period with six of the final nine points to make the score at the break 43-31.
• The Knights notched the opening three points of the second half but were immediately met with seven-straight points from Montclair, including a driving layup from Philipp, to push the margin to 16 with 7:19 on the clock. Following a pair of jumpers from Neumann, Philipp tallied back-to-back buckets along with a layup from ISABELLA ORLANDO to put the hosts in front by 18 as the period approached its halfway point. Hughes connected on a shot shortly after to increase the margin to 20, as the two sides would trade baskets over the remaining stretch, with Montclair holding a 65-46 edge.
• KRISTINA TURNER recorded the first bucket of the fourth quarter at the eight-minute mark to put the Red Hawks in front by a game-high 21. Neumann responded with nine consecutive points over the next three and a half minutes to trim the deficit to 12 at 67-55. Bruce and Turner ended the scoring run with layups on consecutive possessions, with the latter coming at the 3:19 mark of the game. The two sides collected five points each over the next two and a half minutes, with CELINA BUSSANICH connecting on a shot from beyond the arc to make the final margin 14.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Philipp poured in a career-high 22 points on 9-for-13 shooting from the field to pace the Red Hawks offensively. The junior guard added seven rebounds, also a team-best on the day.
• Strollo was the other Red Hawk in double figures with 13 points, stuffing the statsheet with six assists and five boards.
• Montclair shot 44 percent from the field, including 55 percent in the opening stanza, hitting three of five long distance attempts. 

FROM THE COURT

"Really proud of how we bounced back today after our tough loss yesterday. We showed what we are capable of when we play together and execute our offense. I really loved how we shared the ball and got everyone involved. It's great momentum heading into the rest of our conference play." Associate Head Coach Katie Sire

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will resume New Jersey Athletic Conference play on Wednesday, January 7 against NJCU. Tip-off from Jersey City, NJ is scheduled for 5:30 PM.