1/23/2019 7:39:00 PM / Women's Basketball
MSU FIGHTS FROM BEHIND TO DEFEAT RAMAPO
Mahwah, NJ: The Montclair State Red Hawks fought from a 14-point deficit to defeat the Ramapo College women's basketball team, 60-54 in a New Jersey Athletic Conference match-up tonight at the Bradley Center. The Red Hawks improve to 12-6 overall and 8-3 in conference play while Ramapo falls to 9-10 overall and 4-8 in the NJAC.
Taylor Brown led the Red Hawks with 17 points and Alex McKinnon would collect 12 as Kim Calloway and Cerys MacLelland chipped in ten and eight respectively. MSU hit a combined 20-57 (35%) in the win and Brown dished out a team leading three assists. MacLelland grabbed four steals while she also led in rebounds with 11. MSU forced 25 Ramapo turnovers on the night.
The Roadrunners were led by Jenna Harsh as she nailed down 18 points. Tia Solomon collected 12 points and Samantha Rinaldi chipped in nine. The team combined for 20-59 (34%) as Solomon led in rebounds with 13 for the double-double.
Harsh nailed down a three to open the game and Rinaldi hit back-to-back layups to jump ahead 7-0 before MSU quickly cut the spread to one with three straight baskets. Kelly Smith would give MSU the lead at 4:44 with a two-point goal to lead, 8-7. The Red Hawks held a slight advantage until a buzzer beater from Solomon put the Roadrunners on top, 11-10 to end the period. MSU fired first in the second period to go up 15-11 but a three from Harsh quickly put Ramapo within one. Over the next few minutes the two teams traded baskets until a 7-0 run for Ramapo, sparked by Harsh and capped by Jessica Repasy put the Roadrunners ahead 18-15. Ramapo would stay on top climbing to a 27-21 lead with a jumper from Harsh with 1:57 to go in the half, a score that would stay until the buzzer. Ramapo shot 12-27 (44%) in the half behind 11 points from Harsh while the Red Hawks went 9-30 (30%). Brown led MSU with six points.
Harsh would spark Ramapo offensively at the start of the third period as she nailed down five points to go ahead, 32-21. The Roadrunners would continue to slowly jump ahead as Rinaldi nailed down two free throws to put Ramapo ahead 36-23 with 5:48 on the clock. MSU netted six straight charity shots to close the gap 29-37 before a jumper from Solomon put Ramapo ahead double-digits once again, 39-29. Two long shots from Brown would put MSU within eight (35-43) but the Roadrunners would continue to spread and hold their lead as the buzzer sounded with Ramapo leading 50-38 with a last second goal from Cherie Smedile. In the final period, MSU connected an 18-0 run to start as Calloway put the Red Hawks within six, 44-50 forcing a Ramapo time out. Calloway tied it up at 50 with a jumper at 4:49 and Brown would nail a three to put MSU on top, 53-50. Another three from Alex McKinnon put MSU ahead 56-50 before Rinaldi finally got the Roadrunners on the board with 3:13 to go. The Roadrunners were unable to fight back as the Red Hawks posted the 60-54 victory. MSU went 11-27 (29%) in the final half and Ramapo hit 8-32 (25%).
The Roadrunners return to action on Saturday, January 26th when they host Rowan University. The Roadrunners will also host its 3rd Annual Hero's Day. Do you know a hero? Calling all service men and women, fire, police, medical personnel, first responders, and your family and friends! Join us for some great basketball, a special halftime tribute, activities for the kids (face painting, photo booth and more!), contests, prizes and FREE admission and snacks. Game time is 1pm.
