MAHWAH, NJ: Coming off two consecutive impressive victories, the Ramapo College Lady Roadrunners played host to NJAC leader Montclair State Wednesday night at the Bill Bradley Sports and Recreation Center. Thanks to continued stellar defensive play, the Roadrunners jumped out to a 13-4 lead in the first nine minutes of the game. Over the next four minutes the Red Hawks went on an 8-0 spurt, cutting the deficit to one, before a Keona Palmer (Port Reading, NJ) free throw was able to temporarily stop the bleeding. Montclair State grabbed their first lead of the game, 16-14, with six minutes to play in the first period on a Stephanie Machel (New Providence, NJ) lay-in. The lead was short lived, as Kelly Bartz (Madison, NJ) buried a three point basket, and Lauren Moschel (Fair Lawn, NJ) knocked down two free throws, to extend the Ramapo advantage to three, 19-16. The teams traded baskets until the final seconds of the first half, when Cynthia Warrington (Villas, NJ) banked home a miraculous three pointer as she hit the floor.

For the half the Red Hawks were led by Machin's 12 points on 6-8 shooting. Warrington contributed five points, three steals, and two assists. Bartz led Ramapo with six points, while pulling down four rebounds. Palmer and Natasha Gross (Glen Rock, NJ) each added five points.

Bartz continued her hot hand from the outside, knocking down another three pointer, this one to tie the game at 28, in the opening seconds of the second half. Ramapo continued their stellar defensive play, holding the Red Hawks scoreless for the first 12:52 of the second half, until Warrington made a pair of free throws. By this time the Roadrunners had built a 40-30 lead. Montclair was then able to cut the deficit to six, 45-39, before Ramapo countered with a pair of Gross free throws, pushing the lead back to eight. Montclair State continued their cold shooting from the field, and the Roadrunners kept making their free throws in the closing minutes. Moschel made two out of four, Gross one of two, and Palmer two of two. A harmless Warrington lay-up in the last seconds of the game tallied the final score, 57-49.

Machin and Warrington led the Red Hawks with 16 and 15 points respectively. Jessica Garrabrant (Denville, NJ) pulled down 16 rebounds in the losing effort. The Roadrunners received a game high 17 points from Bartz, along with eight rebounds while Gross contributed 12 points, six rebounds, and six steals. Ramapo held the Red Hawks to just 16% shooting from the field in the second half.

Ramapo improves to 9-11 overall, 4-9 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference while MSU falls to 13-7 overall, 10-3 in the conference.

Ramapo returns to action on Saturday, February 4th when they travel to TCNJ for a 6:00 PM tip-off while the Red Hawks host Rutgers Camden at 4:00 PM.