By Tyler Morello
Staff Writer
The back-to-back New Jersey Athletic Conference regular season champions are your very own Lions’ women's basketball team, who got the best of Montclair State in the final game of the 2024-25 season.
Both teams were 15-2 in conference play heading into their matchup, so whoever came out on top was going to be crowned conference champions. The Red Hawks were able to come out with a win in their previous matchup at Packer Hall, where they squeaked past the Lions with a 62-61 victory.
The College came out firing on Feb. 19, scoring a whopping 47 points in the first half. Senior Arianna McCleod and fifth-year Jaclyn Feit combined for the first eight points for the Lions, as McCleod finished with 13 in the half.
Senior Nina Branchizio poured in five three-pointers in the half, including the 269th of her career to put her in sole possession of the College’s all-time three-point record. She finished the day with four steals as well.
The Lions led 47-29 at the half, but being the good team they are, the Red Hawks made some adjustments for the second half. After a three-pointer from Branchizio to balloon the lead up to 21 early in the third quarter, Montclair State went on a 9-0 run forcing the Lions into a timeout.
The College was beginning to feel the Red Hawks' pressure, as they were susceptible to turnovers which stemmed the run. They were able to clean it up after the timeout, holding the lead to 11 at 56-45 heading into the fourth.
This was when Red Hawks’ Alyssa Craigwell put her team on her back. She scored the team’s first six points of the quarter and was constantly being disruptive in the passing lanes. The Lions once large lead dwindled down to four with just under four minutes to go.
The lead was six after a layup from junior Katie Fricker with under a minute left, and the Lions were able to hit timely free throws to hold on and win 72-63. Branchizio led the Lions with 20 points, with McCleod right behind her at 17. Craigwell had a game-high 30 points for Montclair State.
The Lions are now back in the NJAC playoffs, searching for a title that feels overdue in recent seasons. They host Kean University at Packer Hall on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. If they win, they would secure home court advantage in the championship game on March 1.
