Kean Handles MSU in Women's Hoops, 67-59

UNION, N.J. (1/24/09) - Senior guard Ebony Jackson (Newark, N.J.) had 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists to lead the Kean University women's basketball team to a 67-59 victory over Montclair State University in a key New Jersey Athletic Conference game on Saturday afternoon.

Junior guard Cardiss Jackman (Tobyhanna, Pa.) added 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks, as the #22/24 Cougars (15-3, 7-0) remain undefeated in conference play and hand the Red Hawks (11-6, 6-1) their first loss in conference play.   

Junior forward Catherine Cristino (Farmingdale, N.J.) and freshman Jaime Ericson (Flemington, N.J.) each had 18 points to lead the Red Hawks.

In the early minutes of the game, the Cougars scored seven straight points to cap a 9-2 run to open the game.  Montclair State used an 8-2 run to pull back within 13-12 with 12:42 remaining in the half, before the Cougars extended the lead back out to seven points at 25-18 on a lay-up by Jackson (pictured right) with 7:08 left. 

The Red Hawks cut the deficit back to two points with under four minute remaining, before a three-pointer by Jackman gave the Cougars a five-point lead 30-25 going into halftime.

Jackson scored eight points and had four assists for the Cougars in the opening half, while Ericson came off the bench to score eight points and grab seven rebounds for Montclair State.

Kean led throughout the entire second half, and led by as many as nine points on a pair of occasions early in the half.  The Red Hawks pulled to within two points numerous times and trailed just 58-55 with just over five minutes remaining on a jumper by Ericson.  Jackman helped seal the victory down the stretch, scoring five points in the final minutes for the team's sixth-straight victory. 

Junior forward Danielle Brown (North Brunswick, N.J.) had her fifth double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds, while also adding four steals and three blocks.  Sophomore forward Angelica Bermudez (Belleville, N.J.) (pictured left) also finished in double-figures, scoring 11 points and adding three blocks, while sophomore forward Tiffany Patrick (Piscataway, N.J.) had eight points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.

For the fifth time in the last six games, the Cougars recorded double-figures in blocks as a team, finishing with 13 blocked shots, as four different players made three blocks apiece. 

Ericson had a double-double for the Red Haws, finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds.  In addition to her 18 points, Cristino added three steals, while junior guard Jackie Berry (Tuckerton, N.J.) had nine points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals. 

Kean returns to action on Wednesday, January 28, when the Cougars host The College of New Jersey in a pivotal NJAC South Division match-up.  Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.