Newark, NJ – Senior forward Taylor Harmon and sophomore forward Alex McKinnon posted 17 and 16 points respectively as No. 17/21 Montclair State broke away during the middle quarters en route to a 52-41 victory over Rutgers-Newark at the Golden Dome on Saturday.
The Red Hawks (16-1, 11-0 NJAC) outscored the Scarlet Raiders (7-11, 2-9 NJAC) 33-18 in the second and third quarters to extend their winning streak to 14 games. MSU also finished off a sweep of Rutgers-Newark adding Saturday's victory to its 54-43 win against the Scarlet Raiders at the Panzer Athletic Center in December.
Tied 10-10 heading into the second quarter, Montclair State did most of the scoring netting 12 of the 15 points in the period. Kate Tobie put the Red Hawks in front with a three-pointer and McKinnon followed with another for a 16-10 advantage with 6:32 to play. Domonique Wirsing and Janae Mayfield each scored baskets two minutes later extending the lead to 20-10 with 4:29 before halftime.
Rutgers-Newark would break the string on a free throw but a layup from McKinnon with four ticks left sent Montclair State into the break with a 22-13 lead.
The Scarlet Raiders trimmed the lead back to five points early in the third quarter however Harmon and Katie Sire answered with field goals before another three by McKinnon pushed the lead to 29-19 with 6:34 remaining. Two free throws by Faith Ashby dipped the margin back to eight points at 31-23 before Montclair went on a 10-1 run over a two-minute span taking a 41-24 lead on Harmon's jumper with 2:04 left.
Harmon closed out the quarter making two at the line for a 43-28 lead. Rutgers-Newark would get no closer than the final margin.
Sire finished with six points and a team-best 11 rebounds. McKinnon and Harmon grabbed nine and six respectively for MSU, which outrebounded Rutgers-Newark 46-34 including 17 on the offensive glass that would produce 16 second-chance points. Tobie added six points and seven assists while Wirsing pulled down nine caroms.
The Red Hawks are back in action on Wednesday, January 24 returning home to the Panzer Athletic Center. Montclair takes on Ramapo College at 6:00 pm.