Montclair, NJ… In an exciting 40 minutes of basketball, The College of New Jersey women's basketball team put forth a tremendous effort, but fell just short in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship to Montclair State University by a final score of 58-51. 

In the opening quarter, the Red Haws grabbed an early 8-3 lead. Charlotte Schum (East Hanover, NJ/Morris Catholic) hit a lay up to cut it to a three point lead. The Lions were trailing 12-5, when Samantha Famulare (Freehold, NJ/Freehold Twp.) forced a turnover and Schum hit on the fast break. On the other end, Shannon Devitt (Westfield, NJ/Westfield) blocked a shot which turned into a fast break lay up from Jen Byrne (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) off an assist from Schum. After the opening quarter the Red Hawks led 14-10.

The Red Hawks pushed their lead to 21-13 in the second quarter, however the Lions hung around. Schum found Devitt in the low post and the NJAC Rookie of the Year hit to cut the deficit to six. She continued to be aggressive, as she converted on an and-one off a strong take. Byrne blocked a three pointer on the ensuing Red Hawk possession, and Devitt scored another bucket to make it 23-20. With 13 seconds left, Lauren Barlow (Spotswood, NJ/ George Bishop AHR) took the inbounds pass and went straight to the cup and hit the lay in to make it 28-24, a lead which the Red Hawks took into halftime.

Kate O'Leary (Trumbull, CT/Trumbull) sank a three pointer early in the third quarter to cut the lead to 30-29. Taylor Harmon converted on an and one for the Red Hawks to push the lead to 34-29. The Lions cut the deficit with a 6-2 stretch, as Byrne got her own rebound and hit a put back, then after a Red Hawk turnover Schum took it to the bucket to make it 38-35. With 20 seconds left in the third, Schum found Devitt with a mismatch in the post and Devitt took advantage to tie it up at 42.

Devitt remained locked in, as she hit a bucket from in close to pull the Lions within one. Harmon answered with a bucket of her own the next trip down the floor. Famulare made two free throws after being fouled on a drive to tie it up at 49 with five minutes remaining. Katie Sire hit a tough runner in a crowded paint for the Red Hawks to put them up 53-49. Devitt continued to be a force, as she grabbed an offensive rebound and hit the put back to make it 53-51 with 1:45 to play. The score remained locked at that, until Sire hit a mid range jumper with 22 seconds left to make it a four point game. The Lions had a look from three to pull within one, however it did not go down and the Red Hawks held on.

Devitt tied a career high with 18 points, and made it a double double as she ripped down 13 rebounds. Byrne also posted a double double, as she scored 11 points to go with 11 rebounds, and Schum scored six points and pulled down six boards. 

For the Red Hawks, Sire scored 25 points and added 11 rebounds, and Harmon added 15 points and eight boards. 

The Lions had a slight advantage on the boards 44-40, and they grabbed 20 offensive rebounds to the Red Hawk ten. The Lions received contributions from their bench, as they outscored the Red Hawks 24-8 in that category. TCNJ also held a 16-6 edge in second chance points, and a 16-7 advantage in points off of turnovers. 

TCNJ will now await the NCAA Division III selection show, which takes place on Monday, February 26th.