Union, NJ – The Montclair State University notched its largest margin of victory of the season on Saturday afternoon, defeating Kean 83-35.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (11-5, 7-2 NJAC) opened the afternoon with four of the game's first six points, highlighted by a long-distance shot from ALEXIS STROLLO. The senior connected on another shot from beyond the arc to open the difference to two possessions, with BELLA BRUCE draining a three on the ensuing possession off a steal from Strollo to make the score 10-2 at the 6:35 mark of the quarter. Kean closed to within six points a minute later before the Red Hawks rattled off seven of the next nine over the following two minutes. CELINA BUSSANICH knocked down a three to increase the lead to double figures and kick off a 9-0 scoring run to end the stanza for Montclair, with the final six coming from ALYSSA CRAIGWELL.
• Montclair continued to control the game in the second quarter, tallying the period's first 10 points over the opening three and a half minutes. After the Cougars got on the board in the stanza, Craigwell connected on a jumper off a feed from MADISON MARCOTTE on the next trip up the floor to make the score 41-13 with 6:12 on the clock. In the final minutes of the half, the Red Hawks made one more offensive run, kicked off by a layup from KATIE DICHTER. Bruce converted back-to-back three-pointers and Bussanich tallied a pair of free throws to push Montclair to 53 points. A make from beyond the arc for the home side made the halftime margin 33 at 53-20.
• The visitors kicked off the third period with six of the first eight points, capped off by a layup from Strollo at the seven minute mark. As the quarter approached its midway point, Montclair rattled in three consecutive makes from beyond the arc, including a pair from SAMANTHA PHILIPP, to balloon the lead to 68-23. Following a turnover from the Cougars on the next possession, Craigwell recorded another bucket to make the margin 47 with 3:14 on the clock. Bussanich hit another three-pointer a minute and a half later, with Craigwell closing out the frame with another layup to make the score 75-27 going into the final 10 minutes of play.
• Both sides battled defensively over the first three minutes of the final quarter before Dichter recorded a shot from beyond the arc to open the frame for the Red Hawks. After Montclair forced a turnover on the other end, Bussanich sliced to the basket for a layup to expand the lead. A three from HAILEY BENTZ with 3:10 on the clock expanded the difference to a game-high 56, as the Cougars would close out the afternoon with the final eight points. 

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Craigwell totaled a game-high 20 points on 8-for-10 shooting from the field in just 20 minutes of action. She has eclipsed the 20-point mark five times this season, recording double figures in scoring in all but one appearance.
• Strollo tallied her fourth double-digit performance over her last five games, hitting six of seven attempts including all three from beyond the arc to accumulate 16 points. 
• Bussanich had a stellar day off the bench for the Red Hawks, recording a career-high 13 points and five rebounds.
• Philipp was the final Red Hawk in double figures, hitting four field goals to finish with 10 points.
• Montclair shot a season-high 48 percent from the field for the afternoon, including a red hot 61 percent in the opening stanza on 11-for-18 attempts.
• The 48-point victory for the Red Hawks was their largest of the season and most since November 13, 2024, when they defeated Old Westbury by 57 points.

FROM THE COURT

"Outstanding performance today. I was really impressed with our team effort in several areas, and it's certainly fun to watch our younger players grow and see all the hard work they have been putting in transfer into the game." - Head Coach Karin Harvey

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will remain on the road to face Rowan on Wednesday, January 21. Tip-off from Glassboro, NJ is scheduled for 7:30 PM.