Jersey City, NJ – The Montclair State women's basketball team turned it up a notch on both ends of the floor during the fourth quarter as the Red Hawks pulled away from New Jersey City in a 57-49 victory at the John J. Moore Athletic Center on Wednesday evening.
Junior guard Taylor Brown posted a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds while freshman Nickie Carter added 15 points as MSU improved to 5-3 on the season, 3-1 in the NJAC with their 33rd straight victory over the Gothic Knights (2-6, 0-4 NJAC). Montclair leads the all-time series 64-3.
The Red Hawks trailed 28-24 at halftime but managed to take the lead in the final second as Carter was fouled on a layup ahead of the quarter buzzer giving MSU the lead, 41-40. She would make the ensuing free throw giving Montclair a two-point advantage heading into the fourth.
Defense would play a big role in the final period as the Montclair forced NJCU in 14 consecutive misses from the field as the Gothic Knights managed just one point through the first seven minutes. Meanwhile, the Red Hawks took full advantage with 11 points over the same period. Brown collected four of those including a pair of free throws with 3:48 to play making the score 52-41.
NJCU countered with eight straight to pull within 52-49 on an Alexandria Sams three-pointer with 1:02 to go. Brown answered with two free throws eight seconds later. After a miss by the Knights, Carter sank two at the line with Alex McKinnon added one for the final margin.
McKinnon finished with 10 points and eight rebounds while Cerys MacLelland grabbed 10 caroms along with six assists. MSU took advantage at the free throw line connecting on 17-of-21 attempts (7-of-7 by Brown) while NJCU made only 8-of-17.
The Red Hawks are back in action on Saturday, December 14 with their final contest before the holiday break. MSU hosts The College of New Jersey with tip off the of conference contest set for 3:00 pm.