Wayne, NJ – The Montclair State University women's basketball team fell to #18 William Paterson 87-69 on Wednesday night.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (12-7, 8-4 NJAC) fell behind early as the Pioneers opened with seven of the game's first eight points before ALEXIS STROLLO answered with a pair of free throws at the 7:20 mark. A pair of buckets from William Paterson later on in the stanza extended their advantage to 14-5 at the midway point. Trailing by that same margin with three minutes on the clock, Montclair cut the game to two possessions on a layup from ALYSSA CRAIGWELL and free throw from SAMANTHA PHILIPP. The Red Hawks closed the period with five of the final seven points, capped off by a three-point shot from SHANNON HUGHES to make the score 20-15. 
• Montclair kicked off the second quarter strong, as Strollo notched a tip-in to cut the difference to three on the opening possession. The two sides traded baskets over the next two minutes, with a pair of long distance makes from CELINA BUSSANICH and Hughes making it a two-point game, 27-25. At the 7:27 mark, Hughes equalized with a layup as the Red Hawks would take the lead on their next trip up the floor on a three-pointer from Strollo. With three and a half minutes remaining in the half, a jumper from BELLA BRUCE extended the visitor lead to three at 36-33. The Pioneers accumulated six of the final eight to go into the break with a slim one-point lead.
• William Paterson countered the run with a 14-0 run over the first three minutes of the third quarter to build a 15-point lead. After a Craigwell free throw to halt the stretch, the Pioneers tallied the next five to continue their offensive push in the period. MADISON MARCOTTE drained a three just past the halfway point of the quarter, and a layup from her with 3:22 on the clock made the score 64-46 in favor of the home side. The Pioneers pushed the difference to 24 with two minutes on the clock, but a basket from Bruce and free throw from Craigwell made the margin 72-51 going into the final stanza.
• Montclair provided an immediate response in the fourth after a bucket from the home side, as Bruce amassed five points over the opening minute to lead to a three-pointer from Strollo to cut the margin to 15. With six minutes left, Marcotte found Strollo for a shot from beyond the arc to bring the Red Hawks closer, as Craigwell tallied a tip-in attempt to make the gap 11. Strollo cut the game to 10 points on a free throw with 4:29 remaining, but the Pioneers closed the game on a 12-4 scoring run to secure the NJAC victory.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Strollo led the four Red Hawks in double-figures with 18 points, one shy of her season-best. The senior shot 5-for-8 from the field and 3-for-4 from three, adding seven rebounds and five assists.
• Craigwell poured in 15 points while grabbing eight boards. Bruce recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, the first of her career.
• Hughes rounded out the group with 10 points, hitting four of seven shots from the field.

FROM THE COURT

"I thought we fought really hard. We had a really strong first half, and we strung together some really good minutes and didn't let the game get away from us. I'm proud of our effort and we're looking forward to getting back out there on Saturday." - Head Coach Karin Harvey

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will conclude their stretch of four road games over their last five on Saturday, January 31, as they will travel to take on Rutgers-Camden. Tip-off from Camden, NJ is scheduled for 3:00 PM.