MONTCLAIR, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Freshman power forward BRIA SMITH (Bayonne, NJ/St. Dominic Academy) notched her ninth double-double of the season and junior point guardASHLEY VAZQUEZ (Jersey City, NJ/Marist) added 17 points but New Jersey City University fell behind reigning New Jersey Athletic Conference and No. 11/14 ranked Montclair State early and could catch up, falling, 70-44, in women's basketball NJAC action at the Panzer Athletic Center on February 12.
The loss was crucial for NJCU, seeking its first NJAC Tournament berth since the 1988-89 season. NJCU dropped to 8-15 overall and 5-11 in the league with two conference games left. The Gothic Knights must win their final two league games and get some help or face elimination.
Montclair, ranked No. 11 in Division III in the USA Today Sports Top 25 Coaches Poll and 14th by D3hoops.com, improved to 21-2 and 15-1 in the NJAC while winning its seventh consecutive game. MSU has won 34 of its last 35 conference games since February 2012.
Smith, a six-time NJAC Rookie of the Week (one-time Player of the Week) had 12 points and 11 rebounds but only played 22 minutes with foul trouble. Vazquez notched 17 points—reaching double figures in scoring for the 20thtime in 23 games (7-19 FG)—and added three assists in 38 minutes.
Sophomore guard KIANA BRIGGS (Paterson, NJ/Passaic County Tech) reached double figures for the 14th time this season, adding 10 points (5-15 FG) and seven boards in 38 minutes. Vazquez, Smith and Briggs combined to account for 39 of NJCU's 44 points.
READ MORE: http://njcugothicknights.com/news/2014/2/13/02-12-14_WBASKETBALL_vs_Montclair_State.aspx