MONTCLAIR, NJ – The Rowan University women's basketball team suffered its first conference loss, 76-50 at Montclair State University.
 
The Profs are 12-2 overall and 6-1 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).  Rowan remains tied for first place in the conference with Kean University, who lost to William Paterson University, 67-65.  The Red Hawks have a 10-4 record with a 5-2 NJAC mark.
 
Guard Nickie Carter led Montclair State with a game-high 22 points.  Forward Alex McKinnon contributed with 14 points and guard Trisha Peterson chipped in with 12.  Guard Cerys MacLelland grabbed 11 rebounds and dished seven assists.  Guard Taylor Brown and forward Kayla Bush each contributed with nine boards.
 
Guard Savanna Holt scored 10 points for Rowan and guard forward Eliana Santana followed with nine.  Guards Alexis Kriley, Nicole Mallard and Paige Caldwell all had five points apiece. Center Ayanna Johnson pulled down nine rebounds.
 
The Red Hawks were ahead 28-11 after the first quarter.  Mallard had a layup at 3:50 and the Profs trailed by six (13-7). Montclair State followed with a 15-4 run to end the period.  Carter produced 10 of the 15 points.  MacLelland's jumper made the score 41-19 with 2:11 left in the second.  The Red Hawks were ahead 41-21 at the intermission. Carter compiled 16 points in the first half and McKinnon had 11.
 
Brown sank a foul shot at 1:01 in the third quarter to lead 57-27.  The Red Hawks were up 59-30 going into the final period. The closest Rowan came was 22 points. The last time was after Holt's basket at 6:42.  She scored all 10 of her points in the second half.