GLASSBORO, NJ – The Montclair State University women's basketball team rallied in the second half to win 63-60 at Rowan University on Wednesday night.
With 1:10 left in the game, Red Hawks' forward/guard Melissa Tobie (sr. Elizabeth, NJ/Roselle Catholic) sank two foul shots, which tied the game at 57. She followed with a layup (59-57) at the 58-second mark. Guard Janitza Aquino (sr. Kearny, NJ/Kearny) had two points at the charity stripe (0:28) for a three-point advantage (61-58). Rowan guard
Valerie Garofalo (so. Ventnor, NJ/Holy Spirit) registered two free throws (0:19) and Tobie sealed the win with two foul shots (0:18).
Montclair State is undefeated with a 13-0 record and 6-0 mark in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC). This week, the Red Hawks are ranked fifth in the D3hoops.com Top 25 and sixth in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Division III Top 25 Coaches Poll. The Profs are 9-3 overall and 5-1 in the conference.
Aquino finished the game with 18 points. Tobie recorded a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. She also had four blocks. Guard/forward Katie Sire (fr. Hazlet, NJ/Raritan) chipped in with 10 points and seven boards. For the Profs, guard
Anyssa Sanchez (so. Stratford, NJ/Sterling) totaled 10 points and six rebounds. Center
Kate Matthews (jr. Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson) produced nine points and nine rebounds. Guards
Jade Bonder (sr. Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) and
Ashanti Bishop (jr. South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) registered eight points apiece.
Montclair State started the second period with an 18-point deficit (35-17). The Red Hawks pulled within eight after a 15-5 run in the first 6:19. Aquino led the way with eight points. Rowan was ahead 44-32 with Sanchez's layup at 12:34. Montclair State followed with 13 straight points for its first lead, 45-44 (9:58). Aquino ended the surge with a three-pointer. Guard
Bria Hill (sr. Atlantic City, NJ/Atlantic City) put Rowan ahead 47-45 with a three at 8:51. An 8-0 run gave the Red Hawks a six-point advantage (53-47) with 4:58 remaining. The Profs scored five straight points and were down by one (53-52) at 2:34. Matthews contributed with three points and forward
Melissa Lake (fr. Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) had two. Garofalo hit a three (1:29) and Rowan led 57-55.
In the first half, Aquino's jumper put Montclair State up 4-2 at 16:38. A three-pointer and two baskets gave Rowan a five-point advantage (9-4) with 15:16 on the clock. Bonder contributed with five points and Matthews had two. The Red Hawks trailed by two (9-7) after a layup by forward Sage Bennett (so. Sicklerville, NJ/Winslow Twp.). Sanchez's two layups (11:54, 11:40) made the score 15-7. The Profs led 26-16 with 6:37 remaining. A 9-0 run put Rowan ahead by 19 points (35-16) at 3:13. Forward
Summer Crilley (fr. Galloway, NJ/Holy Spirit) produced a three while Garofalo, Bishop and Sanchez each added two points. Forward Taylor Harmon (fr. Saddle Brook, NJ/Saddle Brook) sank the first of two foul shots to end the period with Rowan on top 35-17.
Next, Rowan travels to Kean University on Saturday, January 10 for a 3 p.m. NJAC game.
