Jersey City, NJ – The Montclair State University women's basketball team raced past New Jersey City University 76-48 on Wednesday evening.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (9-4, 5-1 NJAC) battled the Gothic Knights to a 5-5 deadlock after the opening two and a half minutes before the home side pulled ahead on a pair of free throws. Montclair regained the advantage a few possessions later on a three-point shot from ALYSSA CRAIGWELL. With the game level at nine with 4:32 on the clock, MALVINA SULLIVAN connected on a long distance attempt to spark a 7-0 scoring run to vault Montclair in front 16-9. After the Gothic Knights trimmed the gap to four, Craiwell sank consecutive baskets to counter. NJCU would climb to within one in the waning moments of the opening stanza, 22-21, after 10 minutes of play.
• Montclair kicked off the second quarter with the first six points over a three-minute span with the duo of Craigwell and BELLA BRUCE. The Gothic Knights answered with seven-straight of their own over the ensuing two and a half minutes to equalize at 28 points. On the next trip up the floor, SAMANTHA PHILIPP knocked down a three-point attempt to halt the run from the home side. The Red Hawks scored two of the final three points of the half to go into the break up two possessions.
• The visitors started the second half with a 7-2 scoring run, including back-to-back makes from Bruce, to build a nine-point lead after two minutes of play. The two sides locked down defensively over the next four minutes, combining for four points over 4:47 of game time. SHANNON HUGHES hit two free throws to extend the advantage to double figures at 44-33, with ALEXIS STROLLO later pushing it to 14 on a pair of free throws of her own with a minute remaining. The senior converted a layup at the buzzer to make the lead 51-38 going into the final quarter of play.
• Montclair extended their advantage to 18 points with seven of the first nine points of the fourth frame, capped off by a three from Hughes at the 7:09 mark. Buckets by Bruce and Philipp would push the visitors out by 20 just past the midway point of the quarter. A quick 6-0 spurt from Montclair increased their lead to a game-high 18 with three and a half minutes on the clock. The visitors held a slight 8-6 edge over the final moments of the contest as they secured the 18-point road victory to reopen conference play.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Strollo led the offense for the Red Hawks with 17 points, adding five rebounds and assists to fill the statsheet. She converted all seven of her free throw attempts.
• Bruce was close behind with 16 points along with seven boards, with Craigwell one shy of a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds.
• Sullivan recorded a career-high nine points off the bench, adding five rebounds and three steals defensively.
• Montclair held NJCU to under 10 points in consecutive quarters, as the home side totaled 17 over the second and third frames combined. They also held the Gothic Knights to 18-for-62 shooting (29 percent) from the field for the evening.
• The Red Hawks have won their last two contests by a combined 42 points.

FROM THE COURT

"We played great team basketball today. We had our hands on every loose ball, battled on the boards, and executed the game plan. I'm really proud of this group, they've come together and are playing like Red Hawks." - Head Coach Karin Harvey

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will return home to host Stockton on Saturday, January 10. Tip-off from the Panzer Athletic Center is scheduled for 3:00 PM.