Montclair, NJ – Senior Nickie Carter scored 32 points as the Montclair State women's basketball team edged The College of Jersey 58-56 in New Jersey Athletic Conference action Saturday.

Carter was a perfect 5-of-5 from three and 11-of-14 from the free-throw line for Montclair State (4-4, 2-2 NJAC).

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Montclair State raced out to a 5-0 lead and held TCNJ without a basket for the first 5:42 of the game. After trailing 7-2 early, the Lions outscored Montclair 15-4 for the rest of the frame to grab a six-point edge entering the second period.
• The Red Hawks opened the second quarter in a big way, going on a 14-0 run over the first 6:18 of the period. Shannon Hughes hit a pair of threes as Carter added five points during the spurt. The Lions stormed back, ending the stanza on a 7-2 rally, capped off with a three from Nina Branchizio with 52 seconds left.
• Montclair took advantage of the Lions' turnovers in the second quarter, scoring 14 points off the Lions' miscues and registering six second-chance markers in the period.
• Carter snapped a 30-30 tie with three-pointers on consecutive possessions before the senior sank two from the free throw line to push MSU in front 44-36. TCNJ ended the third quarter with an 8-0 run, and the two sides entered the fourth even at 44.
• The Lions picked up where they left off, scoring nine straight points to take a 53-44 advantage with 6:01 to go.
• The Flemington, NJ native snapped the scoring drought with a three and scored seven of nine points during a 9-0 rally to once again tie the game at 53 with 2:21 to go.
• Branchizio and Hughes traded three-pointers, and Branchizio missed a jumper in the paint with 14 seconds to go. Carter was fouled twice, putting Montclair in the bonus. The senior stepped up to the line and knocked down both, giving Montclair a two-point lead with four ticks left. After a timeout, the Red Hawks forced a miss and grabbed the rebound, sealing the victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The 32 points are the second-most by Carter in her career, trailing her 34 against Rutgers-Newark on February 9, 2022.
• Mahogany Worsley-Wooten grabbed a career-high nine rebounds, as Teresa Wolak snared 10.
• Hughes tallied 17 points, draining five triples.
• The Red Hawks held a 46-23 edge in rebounds, including a 17-8 advantage on the offensive glass.

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks visit Hunter College on Tuesday, with tip-off scheduled for 5 pm in New York City.