Montclair, NJ- The Montclair State University women's basketball team looks to continue its offensive surge as they face off with William Paterson on Wednesday night.


GAME INFO
Tip-off from the Sports and Recreation Center in Wayne, NJ, is slated for 5:30 p.m. Live coverage of the game can be found at monclairathletics.com.


LAST TIME OUT
Montclair scored its season high in points last time out against Rutgers-Newark as they defeated the Scarlet Raiders 85-53 on Saturday. The Red Hawks scored the first four points of the game before Rutgers-Newark cut the lead to 4-3 at the 8:26 timestamp. A good layup from SHANNON HUGHES sparked an 8-2 run over the next four minutes. The quarter ended with two buckets from the Scarlet Raiders and a made free throw from RANIYAH GREEN, and Montclair took a 15-6 lead into the second quarter. Defense held strong early with no score over the first two minutes of the second quarter. Two made free throws by ALEXIS STROLLO at the 7:52 mark ended the scoring drought. After taking a double-digit lead of 22-12, both teams traded blows down the stretch, and Montclair went up 32-20 at the halftime break. CELINA BUSSANICH kicked off the second half with a good layup and ignited a big run for Montclair of 17-2 up to the 5:31 timestamp. Buckets from ALYSSA CRAIGWELL and Strollo answered a good layup from the Scarlet Raiders and pushed the Red Hawk lead out to 55-24. Both teams exchanged buckets the rest of the quarter, and the score was 64-35 heading into the fourth period. Craigwell scored the first two baskets of the game and helped Montclair score seven of the next nine points. No team saw a significant run down the stretch, and Montclair maintained its distance for an 85-53 final.


TEAM LEADERS
MONTCLAIR STATE (12-6, 8-3 NJAC)
Points Per Game: ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, 17.4
Rebounds Per Game: ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, 7.2
Field goal percentage: ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, .486
Three Point Percentage: SAMANTHA PHILIPP, .379
Free throw Percentage: ALEXIS STROLLO, .844
Assists: ALEXIS STROLLO, 52
Steals: ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, 50
Blocks: ALYSSA CRAIGWELL, 20


WILLIAM PATERSON (17-1, 11-0 NJAC)
Points Per Game: Renee Wells, 17.3
Rebounds Per Game: Patty Walsh, 6.6
Field Goal Percentage: Patty Walsh, .440
Three Point Percentage: Renee Wells, .360
Free Throw Percentage: Renee Wells, .871
Assists: Jada Jacobs, 57
Steals: Jada Jacobs, 58
Blocks: Patty Walsh, 32


SCOUTING WILLIAM PATERSON
The Pioneers enter this matchup with a dominant 17-1 overall record and are currently unbeaten in conference play with an 11-0 NJAC record, following their 60-51 victory over Stockton on Saturday. In 2024-25, William Paterson finished 21-9 overall and 14-4 in the NJAC. According to the 2025–26 NJAC Preseason Poll, the Pioneers are projected to finish fourth.


SERIES HISTORY
The Red Hawks and the Pioneers will meet for the 104th time in their rivalry. Montclair is on top of the series with a record of 62-41 and has won two of the last three matchups against William Paterson, including last year's NJAC tournament semifinal.


LAST MEETING
Montclair and William Paterson last battled on December 3, 2025, with William Paterson coming out on top in a close one, 65-60. 


UP NEXT 
Montclair State University aims for the next test of their late NJAC schedule, with a matchup at Rutgers-Camden up next, on Saturday, January 31, at 3:00 p.m.