Glassboro, NJ (1/10/09) – The Montclair State University women’s basketball team defeated Rowan University, 72-57 in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) contest on Saturday.

Guard Marianne McGovern (sr. Fair Lawn, NJ/Paramus Catholic) led the Red Hawks with a game-high 20 points. Guard Jaime Ericson (fr. Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central) contributed with 13 points and nine rebounds of the bench. Forward Catherine Cristino (jr. Farmingdale, NJ/Colts Neck) totaled 12 points, eight boards and five steals. Guard Jamilee Pflug (so. Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson) recorded five assists.

MSU is 9-4 overall and 4-0 in the conference with its eighth straight victory. It is the longest winning streak by the Red Hawks since an eight-game run during the 2003-04 campaign.

Rowan is 7-6 on the season with a 1-3 NJAC mark. For the Profs, guard Nancy White (fr. Ocean City, NJ/Ocean City) came off the bench and had a career-high 15 points. Forward Amanda Jennings (jr. Turnersville, NJ/Washington Twp.) scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds. Guard Alissa Lamey (fr. Northfield, NJ/Mainland Reg.) compiled six assists and five steals.

At the 12 minute mark in the first half, Rowan trailed by one point (11-10) after Lamey’s jumper. MSU followed with a 14-2 run in a five minute span to lead by 13 points (25-12). McGovern scored nine points and Ericson had five in the surge. Jennings had a basket at 5:59 to the cut the deficit to 11 points (27-16). With 1:47 remaining, Ericson nailed two foul shots for an 18 point advantage (36-18). MSU was ahead 39-22 at the break. McGovern registered 20 first half points.

In the final period, Cristino had a basket and a free throw that made the score 46-22 at 17:44. The Red Hawks’ biggest lead was 30 points (63-33) at 8:25 after a layup by Cristino. With 3:20 left, Montclair State was up 71-42. The Profs scored 15 straight points to pull within 14 points (71-57) with 41 seconds on the clock. White contributed with six points and guard Danielle Rohe (jr. Dumont, NJ/Dumont) had four.