NEWARK, NJ – Rutgers-Newark sophomore guard Samantha Grippo and senior forward Courtney Vacca netted 17 points apiece, but Montclair State posted a 68-55 win in The Golden Dome in the New Jersey Athletic Conference opener for each squad. 

Montclair State 68, Rutgers-Newark 55

RAIDERVISION GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Grippo poured in 14 of her career-high total in the second half while Vacca scored 13 points by hitting six of eight shots from the floor after intermission, but the Scarlet Raiders (4-4, NJAC 0-1) couldn't battle past the Red Hawks (4-1, NJAC 1-0). 

Sophomore forward Shatanay McCaskill pulled down nine rebounds and dished out a team-high three assists for Rutgers-Newark while Vacca collared eight rebounds as Raiders broke even in rebounding with Montclair, 36-36. 

Sophomore Jared Tactuk had seven points, two assists and two steals while junior guard Martyna Ruminska and sophomore forward Tiffany Clarke had six points each. Ruminska added three rebounds, two steals and an assist while Clark hit both of her field goal tries and each of her free throw attempts while also pulling down two rebounds. 

A Vacca layup followed by a Tactuk free throw with 2:50 remaining pulled the Raiders to within five points at 60-55, but the Red Hawks ran off the final eight points of the contest. 

Junior forward Kisandra Ayanbeku paced Montclair with a game-high 24 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two assists while senior guard Jackie Berry added a dozen points, five assists, five rebounds and two steals. 

Rutgers-Newark hosts Rutgers-Camden Saturday in an NJAC doubleheader in The Golden Dome. The women tip off at 6 p.m. with the men to follow at 8 o'clock.