At the Panzer Athletic Center in Montclair, the Montclair State University Red Hawks women’s basketball team defeated Rutgers-Newark, 78-36.
Rutgers Newark won the opening tip-off but couldn’t score on that possession. Montclair State took over possession and scored thanks to a layup from freshman forward Alyssa Craigwell.
With three minutes to go in the first quarter, Montclair State was up 10-2, and sophomore guard Amanda Castro scored a layup to make it 12-2. The Red Hawks kept the pressure on Rutgers Newark for the rest of the first half, as they would take a 37-12 lead into halftime.
Rutgers Newark started the third quarter by making two free throws, but Craigwell answered with a layup in the paint to make it 41-14. The Red Hawks went on a 9-0 run until Zoe Francis-Bunkley scored a layup for the visitors.
The two sides exchanged blows for the remainder of the third quarter and by the quarter’s end the score was 58-25 in favor of the Red Hawks.
The visitors started the fourth quarter on the right foot, sinking back-to-back jump shots. But whenever Rutgers Newark felt like they were getting back in the game, Montclair State let them know it wasn’t happening. With the score 58-29, Montclair State’s junior guard Isabella Orlando hit a three-pointer and then freshman guard Madison Marcotte hit a two-point jump shot to increase their lead to 63-29.
Montclair State didn’t look back from there and cruised to a 78-36 victory.
Shannon Hughes led Montclair State with 15 points. Craigwell and Marcotte led the team with eight rebounds.
After the game, Marcotte spoke about her team bouncing back from two losses with an emphatic win.
“It was all together, just playing together. We had fun. Even the bench going nuts after every play, it was a whole team thing. Just knowing that we can do that, even coming off of two losses, just shows how strong and unbreakable we are.”
Marcotte also touched on how her team got the job done on Saturday at the Panzer Athletic Center.
“Having a really good start obviously shows us what we can do. After two losses, Rowan, we struggled against them but just having the mentality that we can come back. Like picking each other up, working hard in practice, doing it as a whole team effort.”
Montclair State next host Ramapo College on Dec. 11 in what will be their fourth straight NJAC game.
