Union, N.J. (1/25/20) – Senior Payce Lance led the Cougars with 21 points but it wasn't enough as visiting Montclair State University topped Kean University by the final of 70-59.
The Red Hawks (14-4, 9-2 NJAC) led wire-to-wire and were led by Nickie Carter with 23 points. Kean (12-6, 8-3 NJAC) have now split the season series, with the Cougars taking the first matchup, 71-62.
MSU used a quick 9-0 run early in the first quarter to take their advantage out to double-digits (13-3). The Cougars battled in the second quarter to bring the deficit down to single digits, coming as close as four points with a trey from DarRique Smith to open the period, but MSU responded with short spurts to return to a 10 point lead at the break (32-22).
Despite falling behind by as many as 17 points in the final 20 minutes the Cougars surged in the fourth quarter and rolled off a 10-0 run to dwindle the Red Hawk lead to just seven, 64-57, with just under three minutes to go. That would be as close as Kean would get unfortunately with foul trouble and missed opportunities down the stretch.
Sophomore Shannon McCoy finished with 17 points and four rebounds while Emily Dominguez added 10.
Kean travels to Rutgers-Newark for a 6 p.m. tip-off on Wednesday, January 29th.
