Montclair, NJ- The Montclair State University women's basketball team looks to build off its largest win of the season when it faces Rowan on Wednesday night.
 
GAME INFO
Tip-off from the Esbjornson Gymnasium in Glassboro, NJ, is slated for 5:30 p.m. Live coverage of the game can be found at monclairstateathletics.com.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Montclair had their largest margin of victory this season last time out in Union, NJ, as they defeated Kean 83-35 on Saturday. 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 f loor 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. 

TEAM LEADERS
MONTCLAIR STATE (11-5, 7-2 NJAC)
Points Per Game: ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, 17.3
Rebounds Per Game: ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, 6.9
Field goal percentage: ALEXIS STROLLO, .493
Three Point Percentage: SAMANTHA PHILIPP, .412
Free throw Percentage: ALEXIS STROLLO, .873
Assists: ALEXIS STROLLO, 46
Steals: ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, 42
Blocks: BELLA BRUCE, 19
 
ROWAN (9-7, 5-4 NJAC)
Points Per Game: Megan Donelson, 8.4
Rebounds Per Game: Charlotte Carlies, 7.6
Field goal percentage: Natalia Barrera, .506
Three Point Percentage: Jess McLaughlin, .262
Free throw Percentage: Jes Mastriano, .831
Assists: Megan Donelson, 28
Steals: Megan Donelson, 27
Blocks: Charlotte Carlies, 27
 
SCOUTING ROWAN
The Profs enter this matchup with a 9-7 overall record and a 5-4 NJAC record, following their 87-57 blowout victory over Rutgers-Newark on Saturday. Rowan is currently standing in fifth in the conference. Last season, they compiled a 17-9 overall season with a 13-5 record in NJAC play. They went into the NJAC Tournament as the fourth seed but were knocked off in the quarterfinals by Kean, 74-68. According to the 2025-26 NJAC Preseason Poll, the Profs are projected to finish third this season.
 
SERIES HISTORY
The Red Hawks and the Profs will battle each other for the 87th time in their rivalry. Montclair is on top of the series with a record of 50-36. Montclair took the win against Rowan earlier this season.
 
LAST MEETING
Montclair and Rowan faced off earlier this season on November 25, 2025, where Montclair used a strong finish to come out on top 64-57.
UP NEXT
 
Montclair State University returns home to square off with Rutgers-Newark on Saturday, January 24, at 6:00 p.m. The women's basketball program will also be hosting its inaugural SUPPORTHER game.