MONTCLAIR, N.J. – The College of New Jersey women's basketball team defeated Montclair State by a final score of 64-62 in overtime. The Lions improved to 6-3 including 3-1 in the NJAC, while the Red Hawks slipped to 5-4 and 3-2 in the conference. Shannon Devitt hit a buzzer beater in overtime to seal the exciting victory for the Lions.

The Lions outscored the Red Hawks 18-7 in the second quarter to take a 27-18 lead. TCNJ used a 9-2 stretch to gain the nine point lead. Rachel Gazzola hit a jumper to make it a 20-18 lead, then Morgan Heller scored on a lay-up. Lay-ups from Gazzola and Devitt made it a 26-18 lead.

In the third quarter, Montclair State tied up the game 36-36 with 39 seconds left in the quarter. Heller converted on an and-one to put TCNJ up top by three.

A three-pointer from Jen Byrne in the fourth quarter put the Lions up 42-36, then Devitt scored from in close to put TCNJ ahead by eight. The seesaw battle continued, and Montclair State went up 51-47 with 3:39 to play.

Byrne put the Lions ahead 54-53 with a trifecta with 1:48 to play. A Devitt free throw put TCNJ ahead by two, yet the Red Hawks tied it up to force overtime with 11 seconds remaining.

In the extra session, a Red Hawk three-pointer put Montclair State ahead 60-58. Byrne continued to be locked in, and her jumper tied up the game 60-60 with 1:02 to play.

The Red Hawks scored on the next possession, but Devitt tied it up with a lay-up with 15 seconds to play. On the next possession a foul was called on the Lions, but Montclair State missed both free throws with only six seconds left. Byrne grabbed the rebound, and pushed the ball up the floor. She found Devitt streaking down the court. Devitt put up an off balanced shot that went down to beat the buzzer and give TCNJ the exciting victory.

Devitt led the way with a game-high 25 points on an efficient 10-of-15 shooting from the field. She made it a double-double with 10 rebounds. Byrne also chipped in a double-double with 15 points and 10 boards, while Gazzola tallied 15 points and six rebounds.

The Lions will return to action on Dec. 28 at the Stevens Holiday Tournament.