Montclair, NJ- The #16 Montclair State women's basketball team has a great bounce-back opportunity as it heads to Rutgers-Newark for an NJAC showdown on Saturday.
 
GAME INFO
The matchup inside the Golden Dome is set for a 4:00 p.m. matchup. Live coverage of the game can be found at montclairathletics.com
 
LAST TIME OUT
Montclair suffered its first loss of the season at the hands of William Paterson on Wednesday by a score of 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.
 
 
 
TEAM LEADERS
MONTCLAIR STATE (4-1, 1-1 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
 
RUTGERS-NEWARK (2-6, 0-2 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 RUTGERS-NEWARK
The Scarlet Raiders enter this matchup with a 2-6 record and a 0-2 record in the NJAC after falling to New Jersey City, 68-60, on Wednesday. In 2024-25, Rutgers-Newark compiled an overall record of 3-22 and went 0-18 in NJAC play. They are predicted to place 10^th this season according to the 2025-26 NJAC Preseason Poll.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Montclair and Rutgers-Newark will face off for the 78^th time in their series history. The Red Hawks have dominated the series, holding a 70-7 lead, and are on a 26-game win streak against the Scarlet Raiders.
 
LAST MEETING
These programs met in Newark last on January 25 of this year, where Montclair routed Rutgers-Newark, 68-31.
 
UP NEXT
Montclair State University will remain on the road for a matchup at Ramapo on Wednesday, December 10. Tip-off in Mahwah is set for 5:30 p.m.