Jessica Garrabrant (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls) posted a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds as the Red Hawks improved to 9-6 overall, 7-2 in the NJAC. Francine Bell (Orange, NJ/West Side) had 13 points point for Kean (11-6, 6-3 NJAC), which fell for the third time in its last four games.
The Red Hawks led 28-24 at the half, but two free-throws by Bell with 15:43 left made the score, 34-33. That’s when Montclair State began its run. Bonk scored five of the next seven MSU points to make the score 41-33 and after Kimberly Smith (Burlington, NJ/Burlington) hit two free throww for Kean, Bonk, who also had five rebounds, connected again to give MSU a 43-35 lead with 12:44 to play.
Ebony Jackson (Newark, NJ/Malcolm X. Shabazz) hit two foul shots to trim the lead back to six at the 12:40 mark, however, Montclair went on a 10-0 run to put the game away. Bonk began the spurt with a jumper and Michelle Madej (Morris Plains, NJ/Parsippany Hills) sank two free throws put MSU up double-digits, 47-37. Garrabrant added a layup and Bonk and Amanda Mullaney (Brooklyn, NJ/Bishop Ford) each had one free throw before Garrabrant capped the run with another layup for a 53-37 bulge with 7:03 left.
Stephanie Machin (New Providence, NJ/New Providence) had 12 points and eight rebounds for Montclair State, which shot 55 percent (16-of-29) in the second half. Cynthia Warrington (Villas, NJ/Lower Cape May Regional) and Ferin Catlett (Lawnside, NJ/Haddon Heights) each had eight points while Mullaney finished with six points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots.
Jackson had 12 points for Kean, which struggled from the field connecting on just 18-of-68 attempts. Chari’ Cooper (Paulsboro, NJ/Paulsboro), the nation’s leading rebounder, had nine caroms and five points while Chi Clark (Maplewood, NJ/Columbia) had eight points, eight rebounds and seven steals.
Montclair State returns to action on Saturday, January 21 as they travel to Rowan University to face the Profs at 1:00 pm. MSU defeated Rowan, 72-52, at Panzer Gymnasium back on December 10. Kean hosts Richard Stockton in an NJAC contest at the same time.