Montclair, NJ- The NJAC Champion Montclair State University Women's Basketball team advances to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament where they will square off with SUNY Geneseo on Saturday.
GAME INFO
The second-round matchup will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Franny Murray Court. Live coverage of the game can be found at montclairathletics.com.
LAST TIME OUT
Montclair State University shocked nationally-ranked #3/#9 Christopher Newport with a 67-64 win in their first round matchup.
MADISON MARCOTTE set the tone early for Montclair, scoring back-to-back baskets as the Red Hawks surged to a 12-5 lead within the first six minutes.
SHANNON HUGHES drilled a three-pointer to extend the advantage to 10, but the Captains responded with a 6-2 run to close the quarter, cutting the deficit to 17-11. The teams traded baskets in the opening minutes of the second quarter before Montclair seized momentum with a 10-2 run, extending their lead to 31-18. A back-and-forth battle ensued, but the Red Hawks maintained control, entering halftime up 35-26.
ALYSSA CRAIGWELL led the charge in the second quarter, scoring eight points. Christopher Newport opened the second half with a layup, quickly answered by Craigwell and
OLIVIA VERO. Both teams continued exchanging baskets, but Montclair held firm, maintaining a nine-point cushion at 47-38 heading into the final period. Six different Red Hawks contributed offensively in the third quarter. In the fourth, Montclair fought to preserve their lead against a relentless CNU offense. A barrage of three-pointers chipped away at the advantage, narrowing the gap to 54-50. Craigwell and Hughes each responded with threes of their own, but Christopher Newport kept countering. With just 34 seconds left, Montclair clung to a 65-61 lead. Marcotte and Craigwell sank clutch free throws, but a CNU three-pointer with nine seconds remaining kept the pressure on. A late turnover gave the Captains one last chance to force overtime, but their buzzer-beater attempt missed, sealing the upset victory for Montclair.
TEAM LEADERS
MONTCLAIR STATE (24-4)
Points Per Game:
ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, 16.1
Rebounds Per Game:
OLIVIA VERO, 8.1
Field goal percentage:
ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, .492
Three Point Percentage:
ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, .365
Free throw Percentage:
BRIANNA MONTAJES, .732
Assists:
SOPHIE BENEVENTINE, 153
Steals:
ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, 57
Blocks:
OLIVIA VERO, 38
SUNY GENESEO (23-6)
Points Per Game:
Kristin Suydam, 12.1
Rebounds Per Game:
Kristin Suydam, 12.1
Field goal percentage:
Kristin Suydam, .546
Three Point Percentage:
Grace Galgano, .424
Free throw Percentage:
Grace Galgano, .848
Assists:
Mackenzie Reigle, 233
Steals:
Mackenzie Reigle, 60
Blocks:
Kristin Suydam, 41
SCOUTING SUNY GENESEO
The Knights enter the second round after stunning host and #15 Catholic with a 74-63 win. Geneseo has compiled a 23-6 overall record with a 14-2 record in the Empire 8 this season. The team cruised to the conference finals with wins over Alfred (68-43) and St. John Fisher (72-54) before taking the conference crown with a 66-63 triumph against Brockport. The Knights came into the tournament with an NPI of 58.
SERIES HISTORY
These to two teams will square off with one another for the first time in program history
LAST MEETING
N/A
UP NEXT
With a win, Montclair advances to the Sweet 16 to play the winner of the game between NYU or Trinity (CT). The details of the date, time, and place would be determined later on.
