Montclair, NJ: The Ramapo College women's basketball team earned a key NJAC road win over Montclair State University tonight, 72-53. The Roadrunners improve to 15-8 overall and 11-5 in the NJAC while the Red Hawks drop to 8-15 overall and 5-11 in the conference.
Ramapo opened up a 16-1 lead in the first six minutes of action as they took a 20-8 lead into the second quarter.
Jada Thompson and
Karly Wittenbauer scored back-to-back baskets to open the scoring for Ramapo before
Jackie Ventricelli sank the first of two three-pointers during the run for a 7-0 lead.
Shannon Burns scored a basket before MSU scored one from the free throw line. Ventricelli then scored a three-pointer off a dish from Thompson. Thompson added two points on a jumper before Burns scored two from the free throw line for a 16-1 lead. MSU would go on a 5-2 run to close the gap to ten, 18-8, before
Reilly Sheeley scored the final basket of the quarter to take a 20-8 lead. MSU outscored Ramapo in the second quarter by one (14-13) to maintain a double digit lead heading into halftime as the Roadrunners led, 33-22. The Red Hawks would close the gap to just eight in the final moments of the third quarter as Alexis Strollo sank a three-pointer at the buzzer as Ramapo led 48-40.
With five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter a basket from MSU cut the Ramapo lead to ten before the Roadrunners went on a 13-2 run. Johnstone scored ten points during the run including a three-pointer to take a 21-point lead, 72-51. The Red Hawks scored the final two points of the game on the free throw line as Ramapo came away with a big NJAC road win, 72-53.
Ventricelli led the way with 22 points including five three-pointers while adding six rebounds and three steals. Ventricelli's final steal in the fouth quarter was her 194th of her career and set the new program record. Johnstone finished 6-8 from the floor including 3-5 from the three-point line to score 17 points while Thompson added 11 points, four rebounds and four steals. Both Burns and
Karly Wittenbauer each added six points while Burns contributed with seven rebounds and two blocked shots. Ramapo shot 47% (27-57) from the field, 40% (8-20) from the three-point line and 50% (10-20) from the free throw line. Ramapo scored 26 points in the paint and 29 points off Red Hawk turnovers.
Amanda Castro led the Red Hawks with 13 points while Isabella Orlando added nine and Alexis Strollo posted eight. Montclair State shot 34% (16-47) from the field, 23% (5-21) from the three-point line and 94% (16-17) from the free throw line.
The Roadrunners return to action on Saturday, February 10th when they host NJAC rival the College of New Jersey at 3:00 PM.
