NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Despite a team-high 21 points from Diamond White (Hamden, Conn.) and a double-double from Natasha Rivera (Ansonia, Conn.), the Albertus Magnus College women's basketball team was bested at home by the Red Hawks of Montclair State University by a score of 77-67 on Tuesday evening in non-conference play inside "The Nest".   

Along with her 21 points, White also collected four rebounds, two steals, and an assist, while Rivera pulled down her first double-double of the season behind 14 points and 10 rebounds. Riviera also led the Falcons' defensive unit with a season-high five blocks, three assists, and two steals.

Jakara Murray-Leach (Norwalk, Conn.) and Caitlyn Scott (White Plains, N.Y.) rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Falcons with 13 and 15 points, respectively. 

THE BASICS
Final: Montclair State 77 | Albertus Magnus 67 
Records: Albertus Magnus (2-7) | Montclair State (4-5)
Box Score

HOW IT HAPPENED

Montclair State wasted no time on offense, opening the game with the early 8-3 lead behind five points from Nickie Carter just three minutes in. From there, a deep three from Murray-Leach sparked a 14-2 run that gave the Falcons a seven-point lead with 2:21 remaining in the quarter. 

A layup from Montclair State's Mahogany Worsley-Wooten 30 seconds later ended the scoreless drought for the visitors and ignited a short spurt for the visitors. However, Albertus continued to shine offensively and headed into the final 10 minutes of the first half with a seven-point lead, 24-17. 

Albertus and Montclair State battled back-and-forth offensively to start off the second quarter with the Falcons on top by eight, 31-23, following a layup from White. About 34 seconds later, Montclair State used back-to-back baskets from Carter and Trisha Peterson to cut the deficit to three, 31-28, but a jump shot from Rivera at the 5:16 mark gave the hosts a five-point cushion, 33-28.

Over the remaining five minutes, Montclair State cut the lead to one on two occasions as well as regained the lead 36-35, on a made basket from Carter with 35 seconds left on the clock. However, Albertus' Amanda Zdru (Stratford, Conn.) came in clutch for the Falcons as the sophomore guard hit a deep two with four seconds remaining to give the Falcons a one-point advantage, 37-36, at the break. 

Similar to the first quarter, Montclair State came out hot in the third frame, tallying an 8-3 run that put the visitors up four, 44-40, three minutes in. A White layup at the 6:37 mark broke up the Red Hawks' run, but Albertus saw the deficit grow to six, 48-42, forcing Coach Fredette to call a timeout with 4:33 left on the clock. 

Albertus' offense started to struggle as the Falcons were held scoreless for the next two minutes until Murray-Leach sank an easy basket. Montclair State didn't let up for the remainder of the quarter and held an eight-point lead, 56-48, heading into the final 10 minutes of regulation. 

The Falcons spent the opening five minutes of the final quarter chipping away at the deficit and found themselves within five, 66-61, following a trio of made free throws from Rivera. A minute later, Albertus struck again, this time from Scott, who made two free throws to bring the score to within three, 66-63.

However, Montclair State closed out regulation with an 11-4 run to secure the 77-67 road victory over the Falcons at home inside "The Nest". 

TEAM STATS 

• Albertus: 40.7 % FG |  18.8% 3PT |  71.4% FT
• Montclair State:  49.1% FG |  28.6% 3PT |  81% FT

KEY PERFORMERS
Albertus:

• Diamond White - 21 points (8-14 FG, 0-3 3PT, 5-9 FT) | 4 rebounds | 1 assist | 2 steals
• Caitlyn Scott - 15 points (5-12 FG, 5-7 FT) | 2 rebounds | 6 assists | 3 steals
• Natasha Rivera - 14 points (5-12 FG, 0-1 3 PT, 10-12 FT) | 10 rebounds | 3 assists | 2 steals | 5 blocks 
• Jakara Murray-Leach - 13 points (5-17 FG, 3-9 3PT) | 1 rebound | 5 steals  

Montclair State:

• Nickie Carter- 27 points (9-16 FG, 0-2 3PT, 9-9 FT) | 6 rebounds | 1 steal | 1 block
• Kendall ​​Hodges - 12 points (5-10 FG, 0-1 3PT, 2-6 FT) |  4 rebounds | 6 assists | 2 steals
• Julia Sutton- 11 points (4-10 FG, 1-5 3PT, 2-2 FT) | 7 rebounds | 1 assist | 2 steals
• Trisha Peterson-  10 points (3-6 FG, 2-3 3PT, 2-2 FT) | 9 rebounds | 2 assists | 1 steal 

NOTEWORTHY

• This was the first meeting between the two programs. 
• White tied her season-best in points with 21.
• Rivera has scored in double figures in back-to-back games. 
• Murray-Leach has scored in double digits in the last three games.
• All five of the Falcons' blocks came from Rivera. 
• Scott was one assist shy of tying her season-high of seven.

UP NEXT
The women's basketball team returns to the court on Saturday, December 18th with an away match-up with in-state foe Mitchell College. Tip-off is set for 1 PM inside the Yarnall Athletic Center.