MONTCLAIR, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | No. 19/22 Montclair State University outscored the New Jersey City University women's basketball team 45-6 in the first half and never looked back as it defeated the Gothic Knights, 92-12, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game on February 7 inside the Panzer Athletic Center.
 
Montclair State (20-2, 15-1 NJAC) shot 57.6 percent (38-66) on the night as its bench outscored the NJCU (0-19, 0-16 NJAC) reserves, 50-4 and held a 54-4 points in the paint advantage. MSU only had eight turnovers and held a 31-0 differential in points off giveaways. NJCU shot 4-of-60 overall. Montclair State is ranked No. 19 in the latest WBCA Division III Top 25 rankings and No. 22 by D3hoops.com
 
Freshman center Gianna Benacquista (Belleville, NJ/Belleville) finished the game seven rebounds and three blocks, while sophomore center Melissa Etienne (Maplewood, NJ/Columbia) secured five rebounds to highlight NJCU's performers.
 
Three players scored in double figures for the Red Hawks as junior forward Domonique Wirsing (Kinnelon, N.J.) scored a career-high 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting overall, including a perfect 8-of-8 from the charity stripe, and grabbed five rebounds (all defensive) in 26 minutes. Preseason Second-Team All-American senior guard/forward Katie Sire (Hazlet, N.J.), a four-time NJAC Player of the Week, buried 17 points (8-14 FG), secured six rebounds (five defensive) and forced six steals, while freshman guard/forward Nikki Stevens (Manasquan, N.J.) chipped in 13 points (6-10 FG).
 
Freshman guard Taylor Brown (Trumbull, Conn.) snagged 11 caroms (eight defensive), while senior forward Taylor Harmon (Saddle Brook, N.J.) finished with nine rebounds, seven points, six assists and two blocks in a well-rounded effort. All nine MSU players who saw the court scored and had a rebound. Wirsing was the only Red Hawk without an assist.
 
OF NOTE:

• Series: 63rd meeting. Montclair State leads all-time series, 60-3, and has won the last 29 meetings since February 13, 2002. NJCU has never defeated MSU in Montclair, N.J.

 
UP NEXT?:
NJCU hosts Ramapo College on Saturday, February 10 (1 p.m.) in the final home game of the 2017-18 season. It will be the 71st meeting between the two schools. The Roadrunners lead the all-time series, 42-28 and defeated the Gothic Knights 71-25 on January 13 in Mahwah, N.J.
 
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