MONTCLAIR, NJ…Montclair State University took its first lead just 1:23 into the first half and never trailed again, and three Red Hawks scored in double figures as MSU handed New Jersey City University its first loss of the season, 62-45, in the New Jersey Athletic Conference opener for both schools, Tuesday night at Panzer Gymnasium.
NJCU falls to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in the NJAC, while MSU is 2-1 and 1-0 NJAC. It was NJCU’s first conference game since February 21, 2004, also at Montclair State.
In defeat, sophomore swingman
ARNESE GOODMAN (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) posted a game-high 16 points and had six rebounds, but shot just 5-of-20 from the field. NJCU struggled to find the mark all game, finishing at 26.0 percent shooting (13-50) after 4-for-25 in the first half (16.0%). The Knights did converted 15 free-throws (15-27).
MSU shot consistently in each half, finishing at 47.2 percent for the game (25-53). Montclair was led by junior forward Stephanie Machin (New Providence, NJ/New Providence) who had 12 points (5-7 FG) and 13 rebounds for the Hawks.
Senior forward Amanda Mullaney (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Ford) also had a double-double with a game-high 14 rebounds (11 defensive) and 10 points (5-10 FG), with four steals and three assists. Sophomore forward Michelle Madej (Morris Plains, NJ/Parsippany Hills) tallied 12 (4-10 FG, 2-4 3FG) for the home team.
For NJCU, no other player reached double figures. Junior point guard
LATRESE McNAIR (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth) had six points (2-3 FG) and four assists, and senior power forward
MEGAN KABBA (Newark, NJ/Arts) finished with eight points and three steals.
MSU won despite committing 30 of the 55 turnovers committed in the contest. That was largely due to a 47-29 rebounding margin, including 37-22 on the defensive glass, as NJCU was limited to three second chance points. MSU received a 31-13 lift in bench points and outscored the Knights in the paint, 34-14.
The game remained close midway through the opening period, with MSU leading 11-10. The Hawks continued to lead 14-11, before a 13-3 run capped by a three-pointer by Madej, made it 27-14 MSU with 3:11 left in the period. The hosts led by 14 at the break, 29-15.
MSU led by double digits for much of the second half. NJCU trimmed the deficit to seven, 46-39, when Goodman hit a three with 8:10 left. However, MSU scored the next 13 points to pull in front by 19, 58-39 The Hawks largest lead was 20 (62-42) with 1:27 remaining.
NJCU will open its 2005-06 home schedule on Wednesday, November 30 at 6 p.m. in an NJAC game against Rutgers University-Newark.
—www.njcugothicknights.com—
