MONTCLAIR, NJ – The Rowan University women's basketball team had its season come to an end with a 65-55 loss at Montclair State University in the semifinals of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament on Tuesday.

The Profs close the year with a 16-10 record. They were the fourth seed in the conference playoffs. The top-seeded Red Hawks (22-3) advance to the NJAC Championship Game where they will host the second seed The College of New Jersey (21-5) on Friday, Feb. 23.

Montclair State guard Kate Tobie (sr. Elizabeth, NJ/Roselle Catholic) totaled a game-high 21 points, four assists and four steals. Guard/forward Katie Sire (sr. Hazlet, NJ/Raritan) recorded a double-double with 11 points and 19 rebounds. Forward Taylor Harmon (sr. Saddle Brook, NJ/Saddle Brook) tallied 16 points. Forward Alex McKinnon (so. Fairfield, CT/Fairfield Ludlowe) posted nine points and 10 boards while guard Taylor Brown (fr. Trumbull, CT/Trumbull) grabbed seven rebounds.

Four players scored in double figures for Rowan. Guard Dominique Peters (so. Lawrenceville, NJ/Lawrence) produced 15 points and six rebounds. Guard Summer Crilley (sr. Galloway, NJ/Holy Spirit) compiled 13 points and five boards. Guard Olivia Rulon (jr. Cape May Court House, NJ/Wildwood Catholic) and center April Szymczyk (sr. Jackson, NJ/Jackson Liberty) each contributed with 10 points and four rebounds.

The teams were evenly matched in the first half with eight ties coming in the first two quarters. The Red Hawks were in front by two (14-12) after one period. Peters tied the score at 14 with a jumper to begin the second (9:28). Guard Alex Raring's (sr. Linwood, NJ/Mainland Reg.) foul shot gave the Profs their first lead of the game (15-14) at 8:33. Tobie made a pair of free throws (3:03) and the squads were deadlocked at 21. The score was even at 25 after a jump shot by Crilley (0:43). Harmon ended the period with a layup (0:33) and Montclair State was ahead 27-25 at the break.

McKinnon started the third with a foul shot (9:17) to increase the Red Hawk advantage to three (28-25). Rowan scored five straight points to go ahead 30-28 with 7:28 on the clock. Montclair State responded with an 8-0 run to lead 36-30 (6:08). Sire registered five points and Harmon added three. Sire closed the frame with two shots from the line (0:01) and the Red Hawks took nine-point (49-40) cushion into the fourth quarter.

Montclair State began the final period with six consecutive points to push the margin to 15 (55-40), its largest of the game (9:17). After a three by Tobie (8:30), the Profs battled back with six points in a row to cut the deficit to nine (58-49) with 6:15 to go. Peters' layup (1:45) made the score 63-55. The Red Hawks forced three Rowan turnovers in the closing minutes and added two free throws to clinch the victory.