Montclair, NJ – Senior guard JANITZA AQUINO scored 17 of her game-high 21 points in the first half as No. 7/9 Montclair State knocked off Rutgers-Newark 76-60 in its home opener at the Panzer Athletic Center on Wednesday evening.

Sophomore forward SAGE BENNETT had 17 points and seven rebounds as the Red Hawks remained unbeaten (6-0, 3-0 NJAC) with its seventh straight win over the Scarlet Raiders.

Senior forward Jade Howard (Sicklerville, NJ / St. Joseph's (Hammonton)) posted a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds for Rutgers-Newark (3-3, 1-1 NJAC), which had its two-game winning streak snapped.  

Aquino connected on 6-of-8 from the field, including five three-point field goals as Montclair State was able to grab a 40-30 lead at halftime in a first half that saw both teams shoot 52 percent from the field.

After several ties and lead changes through the first 14 minutes, Rutgers-Newark took a 26-24 advantage as Arianna Williams (Lumberton, NJ / Rancocas Valley) drained a three points with 5:59 left. Aquino answered that with a three of her own igniting a 15-4 run by the Red Hawks over the next three minutes.

KAYLA CEBALLOS scored on a layup and a pair of three-pointers wrapped around two foul shots by Bennett made the score 37-28 before MELISSA TOBIE finished off the run with a layup for the 11-point lead with 2:42 to play before halftime.

The lead grew to as many as 17 points at 49-32 with 17:37 left in the second as KATIE SIRE scored however the Scarlet Raiders were able to trim back the deficit to 51-44 with 13:59 left on a three-point play by Howard.

Montclair State then put the game away with an 18-point run started by Bennett, who hit twice at the line. Tobie followed with a three-pointer and then finished off the spurt wih a layup as MSU led 63-44 with 10:45 to go.

Tobie finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists as Montclair shot exactly 50 percent (25-of-50) from the floor. Sire had 15 points and six rebounds as she became the fourth MSU player with double figures. Aquino and KATE TOBIE each handed out four assists.

Sharee Gordon (Newark, NJ / University) had 18 points, nine rebounds, four blocks and three steals for the Scarlet Raiders.

Both teams return to action on Saturday, December 6 with home NJAC contests. Montclair State hosts Ramapo College at 3:00 pm on Women's Basketball Alumni Day at the Panzer Athletic Center while the Scarlet Raiders entertain The College of New Jersey in the Golden Dome at 8:00 pm.