Boxscore

SELINSGROVE, Pa. -- Susquehanna University's junior guard Erika Barron (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua Area) notched a game- and career-high 21 points on 7-for-10 shooting from the field, but Susquehanna fell in overtime to visiting Montclair State University, 79-72, in a non-conference women's basketball game at Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium on Dec. 12.

SU (5-4 overall) scored the first basket of the game, but Montclair State (5-4 overall) responded with a 17-7 run to go up, 17-10, 5 minutes, 38 seconds into the first half.

The Crusaders answered back with a 12-4 run to regain the lead at 22-21 with 8:39 remaining. The lead changed hands three more times throughout the remainder of the half, as Montclair took a 35-32 advantage into the locker room.

Barron shot 6-for-9 from three-point range, accounting for all of the Crusaders' three-point baskets.

"Erika shot the ball real well today, but that's what we expect," said SU Head Coach Jim Reed. "When she gets open looks, she can knock them down."

Sophomore guard/forward Jessica Zigarelli (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) and junior forward/center Samantha Cartwright (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) each had a team-high five rebounds for the Crusaders. Zigarelli also tallied 10 points and made a game-high three steals. Cartwright posted 14 points and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.

SU's junior guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) dished out a game-high five assists to go along with 12 points and three boards.

Susquehanna tied the game at 37-37 just 1:33 into the second half and then went on a 10-0 run to build its biggest lead of the contest, 47-37, with 13:54 remaining. Montclair slowly chipped away at SU's lead though, cutting the deficit to one point multiple times and forcing four ties in the final 3:53 of regulation. The Red Hawks never did take the lead until overtime.

The Crusaders had opportunities to put the game away late in regulation, but two turnovers allowed Montclair to force the extra period.

"We had two crucial possessions at the end of the game with the lead and turned it over, and I thought that was a key factor in the outcome," Reed said.

With the score tied in overtime at 70 apiece, the Crusaders missed their next four shots from long range to fade out of the game.

Montclair State was led by senior forward Catherine Cristino (Farmindale, N.J./Colts Neck), who tallied a team-high 17 points, including a 7-for-8 performance from the free-throw line. Teammate and junior forward Kisandra Ayanbeku (Brockton, Mass./Randolph) snagged a game-high 13 boards, dished out a team-high three assists and scored 11 points. Sophomore guard Jaime Ericson (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) had a team-best two steals.

Montclair made 27 of 31 free throws to Susquehanna's 16 of 20 and outrebounded the Crusaders, 40-31. The game saw 11 ties and eight lead changes.

Next Game: Friday, Dec. 18, at McDaniel (non-conference game), 7 p.m.