Montclair, N.J. (1/7/12) – The Kean University women's basketball team improved to 13-2 this season after edging Montclair State University, 66-64, in New Jersey Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon.

In a game that saw 16 lead changes, Kean trailed 60-57 with 4:53 remaining.  The Cougars scored six straight points, including four points by junior forward Kyanne Sager to take the lead for good at 63-60 with 3:23 remaining.

Montclair State (8-6, 0-4 NJAC), which dropped its second consecutive game, closed the deficit to one point at 63-62 with 1:55 to play following a layup by sophomore guard Theresa Towns.  The Red Hawks had one final chance to either tie or win the game in the closing seconds. Behind 66-62 with four seconds to go, freshman forward Melissa Tobie was fouled attempting a three-point shot. Tobie, who topped all scorers with 19 points and tied for game-high rebounding honors with nine, made the first two of her three free throws to make the score 66-64. Tobie then deliberately missed the final free throw attempt with senior guard Jaime Ericson, who had 12 points and nine rebounds, grabbing the rebound for Montclair State. MSU would commit a turnover that ended the game.

Senior guard Brittany Powell led Kean with 16 points with junior Brittanie Payne adding 13 points and a game-high six assists.  Senior Danielle McFadden added eight points and eight rebounds in the win.

Kean returns home and hosts The College of New Jersey Wednesday night in NJAC play.