GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA -- Montclair State defeated Gwynedd-Mercy, 77-76, in a wild finish at the Griffin Complex Saturday afternoon. The Griffins, who almost battled back from a 20-point second half deficit, were led by senior Brittany Neill with 21 points.

Theresa Towns was one of five players in double figures for MSU (5-4), finishing with 14.

Montclair State shot 55.6% (20-of-36) in the first half and led by as much as 23 in the stanza, taking a 45-27 lead at the break. The Red Hawks used a 9-1 run to open up the contest then used back-to-back treys from Michelle Montagna and Jamie Ericson to open up an 11-4 lead.

In the second half, the Griffins (5-4) came out firing, shooting a blistering 56% (14-of-25) from the field, getting ten different players score in the second half. Gwynedd was able to cut the lead to one point three times in the second half but the Red Hawks seemingly had an answer every time the Griffins knocked on the door. The last 36 seconds of the game saw chances galore for both teams to take control both from the floor and at the line.

GM would get within one point on three occasions with the last time coming with four ticks left. Senior Bryn Cotteta knocked down her two free throws after a hard drive to the bucket, to cut it to one. After a foul on the ensuing Red Hawk possession, MSU's Colleen Kelly missed both free throws but unfortunately for the Griffins, the rebound off the second miss was unable to be corralled to give a chance for a final shot.

Freshman Shea Wassel added thirteen points, three rebounds, three steals, and two blocks off the bench.

Gwynedd rebounded to shoot 46% (23-of-50) for the game, making five three-pointers and but the team went 25-for-35 from the free-throw line. Cotteta finished the contest with fourteen points and five assists. Neill and Wassel were the only other two in double digits.

Montclair shot 51.8% (29-of-56) and made five three-pointers as well. Ericson and Taylor Jeffers finished with 13 points. Melissa Tobie added 12 and Janitza Aquino chipped in 10 for MSU.

The Griffins outrebounded the Red Hawks, 34-28. Sophomore Natasha Matthews pulled down five rebounds to lead the team. Tobie led the Red Hawks with seven caroms.