MONTCLAIR, NJ – The Rowan University women's basketball team saw its three-game win streak come to an end with a 61-48 loss at Montclair State University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Saturday.
The Profs are 5-4 overall and 3-2 in the conference. The Red Hawks improved to 8-1 and they are undefeated in the NJAC with a 5-0 record. Montclair State is ranked 25th in this week's Women's Basketball Coaches Association Top 25 Poll.
Forward Alex McKinnon (so. Fairfield, CT/Fairfield Ludlowe) led the Red Hawks with 22 points and nine rebounds. Guard/forward Katie Sire (sr. Hazlet, NJ/Raritan) recorded 17 points and seven boards. Forward Taylor Harmon (sr. Saddle Brook, NJ/Saddle Brook) tallied 14 points and six rebounds. Guard Kate Tobie (sr. Elizabeth, NJ/Roselle Catholic) contributed with five points, five boards and four steals.
For Rowan, guard/forward Alex Raring (sr. Linwood, NJ/Mainland Reg.) posted 17 points. Center April Szymczyk (sr. Jackson, NJ/Jackson Liberty) registered 15 points and seven rebounds. Guard Summer Crilley (sr. Galloway, NJ/Holy Spirit) totaled six points and five boards while guard Dominique Peters (so. Lawrenceville, NJ/Lawrence) chipped in with five points and six rebounds.
The Profs had an early 5-4 lead with 7:12 to go in the opening quarter. Montclair State ended the period with a 10-3 run to go ahead 14-6 entering the second. McKinnon and Sire each had four points and Harmon added two free throws. Raring produced a three-point play with a layup and foul shot (8:46) to cut the deficit to one (14-13). The Red Hawks took control with 17 straight points to make the score 31-13 with 1:40 on the clock. Sire led the charge with nine points. Rowan trailed 31-18 at the break after a three by forward Kailyn Sytsma (so. Northvale, NJ/Northern Valley Old Tappan) with six seconds left. Sire poured in 13 points in the half followed by Raring's 11.
In the third, Harmon's jumper increased the lead to 18 (38-20) with 6:23 on the clock. The Profs had a 7-0 surge to close the gap to 11 (38-27) at 4:12. Szymczyk scored five points and Raring made a jump shot. Montclair State had a 45-33 advantage going to the fourth. The Red Hawks posted the first seven points of the final stanza for their largest lead at 19 (52-33). Tobie drilled a three (9:18), Sire made a jumper (8:47) and McKinnon converted a layup (8:00). Rowan followed with a 15-4 rally to make the score 56-48 with 1:09 to play. Four different players scored in the stretch. Montclair State closed out the victory with five foul shots.
The Profs play their final game before the holiday break versus Widener University on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 1 p.m.