Camden, NJ – The Montclair State University women's basketball team was edged by Rutgers-Camden 70-66 on Saturday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (12-8, 8-5 NJAC) notched the opening points of the afternoon on an and-one finish from ALEXIS STROLLO a minute into the contest. Holding a 4-2 advantage, Montclair battled Rutgers-Camden over the next three minutes with neither side allowing a basket until the home side took the lead on a three-point shot. Trailing 7-4 as the quarter approached its halfway marker, ALYSSA CRAIGWELL and SAMANTHA PHILIPP tallied two of the next three baskets to bring the Red Hawks within one. The Scarlet Raptors accumulated a 9-1 run over the next two and a half minutes to open a nine-point lead, with Craigwell scoring in the final minute to make the score 18-11 after one quarter.
• Montclair responded with a strong second quarter, kicking off the period with a layup from MADISON MARCOTTE on the opening possession. The two sides tightened up defensively, allowing just six combined points over the next four and a half minutes before Strollo drove to the bucket for a layup to bring the Red Hawks within two possessions at the 5:27 mark. A minute later, Strollo found BELLA BRUCE for a corner three to cut the deficit to two, forcing a timeout from the home side. The Red Hawks continued their offensive surge, as Strollo tallied four more points to push Montclair in front with three and a half minutes on the clock. Philipp cut inside for a layup to nudge the lead to three, with the Scarlet Raptors hitting a free throw in waning moments to make the halftime score 27-26.
• Rutgers-Camden reclaimed the lead at the 6:39 mark of the third quarter after recording four of the first five points of the frame. Montclair answered with red hot shooting from beyond the arc, kicked off by a three from Strollo on the next possession. SHANNON HUGHES drained a three in the corner to extend the lead to four as the stanza came to its midway point. ISABELLA ORLANDO got in on the action with a three-point make, followed by consecutive long range shots from Craigwell, to vault the Red Hawks ahead by eight as part of a stretch in which they shot 6-for-7 from three. Marcotte converted an and-one opportunity to increase the gap to double-digits, but Rutgers-Camden closed with seven of the final nine points to go into the final quarter down 48-42.
• The home side continued to cut into the deficit in the early stages of the fourth, tallying a 7-2 run over the opening 90 seconds. After Hughes hit a three to extend the lead back to four, the Scarlet Raptors tallied the game's next eight points to pull in front, 57-53, with 5:31 remaining in the period. Craigwell countered with a pair of jumpers to equalize at 57, as the two sides would battle within one possession the rest of the way. Down by one with the final 60 seconds approaching, Craigwell notched a pair of free throws to put the Red Hawks up 62-61. The home side answered with a jumper on the next possession, as another bucket from Craigwell vaulted the visitors back in front with 30 seconds on the clock. Rutgers-Camden closed the afternoon with a 7-2 run, hitting seven free throws, to seal the conference victory.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Craigwell led Montclair with 21 points and 11 rebounds, her second double-double over her last three games and fourth of the season. 
• Strollo was close behind with a season-best 20 points, two shy of her career-high. She has recorded double-figure scoring in 14 games for the campaign.
• Montclair shot 42 percent from the floor and a season-best 53 percent from beyond the arc, connecting on 12 attempts from long range.

FROM THE COURT

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UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will return home to face Ramapo on Wednesday, February 4. Tip-off from the Panzer Athletic Center is scheduled for 5:30 PM.