Senior Insert

Ewing, NJ… The College of New Jersey women's basketball team defeated 22^nd ranked Montclair State University on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 62-59. With the win the Lions improve to 19-5 and 14-3 in the NJAC, and the Red Hawks drop to 20-3 and 15-2 in the conference. The Lions also clinched a first round bye in the New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs with the win, and still have an opportunity to obtain the number one seed.

In the first half, the Red Hawks jumped out to a 22-11 lead, however the Lions took the lead with a 30-9 run that lasted from the seven minute mark of the second quarter to the 5:39 mark of the third quarter. The Lions were able to take momentum into the locker room, as Kate O'Leary (Trumbull, CT/Trumbull) knocked down a three pointer with 19 seconds remaining after taking a nice pass from Samantha Famulare (Freehold, NJ/Freehold Twp.) Famulare was a major factor in this game, and in the third quarter she knocked down two three pointers, with the last one giving the Lions a 40-31 lead. 

The Red Hawks were able to chip away at the Lions lead, as they got it down from 11 to two at the end of the third quarter. Famulare continued to stay locked in, as she hit a three pointer with 5:13 to play to give the Lions a 53-48 advantage. The Red Hawks got a bucket from Taylor Harmon to cut the Lions lead to 57-56, yet on the next Lions possession Jen Byrne (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) knocked down a clutch three pointer to put the Lions up 60-56. Harmon converted on a lay up again for the Red Hawks with 18 seconds to go, and Famulare made two clutch free throws to push the Lions lead to 62-59. The Red Hawks had an opportunity to tie it up, however the Lions defense shut them down and the Red Hawks did not get a good look. 

Famulare led the Lions with 20 points, which is the best scoring game she has had since joining the Lions. Byrne scored 17 points, while Charlotte Schum (East Hanover, NJ/Morris Catholic) added nine points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Nikki Schott (Washington, NJ/Warren Hills) scored seven points and grabbed seven rebounds.

For the Red Hawks, Katie Sire led the way with 24 points.

The Lions were active on the defensive end, as they forced 19 turnovers, and had a 21-11 advantage in points off turnovers. 

Prior to the game, the Lions honored their senior class, Schum, Schott, and Chiara Palombi (Manasquan, NJ/Manasquan) for their last regular season game in Packer Hall.

With the win, the Lions sealed an undefeated regular season at home, as they are 11-0 in Packer Hall this year. The win also clinches a first round bye in the NJAC playoffs, and they are still in contention for the number one seed. The Lions will wrap up the regular season when they travel to Rutgers Newark on February 14th for a 6pm start.