MONTCLAIR, NJ – Rutgers-Newark senior forward Jaleesa Coleman netted a game-high 16 points, but Montclair State used smothering defense to stop the Scarlet Raiders, 64-41, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game in Panzer Athletic Center.

BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY

Coleman, who was the only Raider in double digits, added four rebounds and four steals, but the Red Hawks (8-9, NJAC 2-4) held Rutgers-Newark to season-lows of 15 field goals and 41 points.

Sophomore guard Kristen Venning had six points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals for the Raiders (13-4, NJAC 4-3) while junior guard Jared Tactuk and freshman guard Mercedes Glover notched five points apiece. Tactuk added five rebounds while Glover came off the bench to make three steals .

Junior guard Brittany Smith tied for game honors with nine rebounds, but Montclair State dominated the glass, 53-37.

Sophomore forward Taylor Jeffers came off the bench to pace the Red Hawks with 15 points and nine rebounds. She made five of seven shots from the floor and five of six free throws. Senior forward Kisandra Ayanbeku added 10 points and eight rebounds for MSU while sophomore forward Colleen Kelly finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Freshman guard Theresa Towns contributed eight points, five assists and four steals.

After freshman forward Anthonia Ajumobi hit a layup to stake the Raiders to a 12-9 lead with 11:09 left in the opening period, Rutgers-Newark went without a point for over eight minutes as the Red Hawks reeled off 14 unanswered points. A Jeffers jumper boosted MSU into a 23-12 lead with 5:49 left before the break. The Red Hawks led 27-18 at the half.

Coleman and Venning drove for layups to start the second half, trimming the Montclair State lead to 27-22. But, Rutgers-Newark would get no closer as Red Hawks gradually pulled away to the final 23 –point margin.

Rutgers-Newark made only four of 22 shots from beyond the arc to stall any comeback hopes and the Red Hawks made 16 of 20 free throws to maintain a solid lead.

Rutgers-Newark visits Richard Stockton on Saturday for an NJAC doubleheader. The men tip off at 1 p.m. with the women's game to follow at 3 o'clock.