UNION, N.J. (2/11/13) – Erika Jones led the Kean University women's basketball team with 12 points on her senior night but the Cougars could not overtake No. 5 Montclair State University in a 71-42 NJAC game on Monday night. Jones and fellow senior Kyanne Sager were honored in a pregame ceremony by the Kean athletic department.

The Red Hawks took early control of the game and scored the first 10 points off the tip. Kean fought back and scored eight of the next 10 points, however, to make the score12-8. That run was capped by a three-pointer from Shay Collins (pictured left).

Kean was able to stay within four, trading baskets with Montclair until 11 minutes remained in the first period.

Montclair eventually ground down the Kean attack with relentless pressure from baseline to baseline, and forced 27 Cougar turnovers. The Red Hawks were led by junior Melissa Tobie, who had 20 points.

Kean was not able to get the lead down to single digits in the second half, though the team was able to block seven MSU shots and out-rebounded the Red Hawks 41-39. Both teams also shot comparably from the floor, at 37 and 35 percent in favor of the visitors. Sager finished with seven points but had to leave the game early due to an injury.

Kean will close out its season at Rutgers-Newark on Wednesday, while Montclair will put their undefeated record on the line against The College of New Jersey on the same night in its regular season finale.