Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (12-10, 7-8 NJAC) used a stifling defense to pull away from Montclair State University (10-12, 7-8 NJAC) by a 65-45 score on Saturday afternoon. Emma Morrone (Maywood/Hackensack) led the Ospreys with a game-high 14 points.
 
The contest started out to be a high scoring affair with the Red Hawks taking an 18-17 lead after one quarter. But the game changed midway through the second period and extended into the third frame.
 
Montclair State's last points came with 5:30 remaining in the first half, allowing the Ospreys to run off the last 13 points of the period to forge a 34-27 lead at the break. Five points by Morrone and four by Adriyana Jennings (Camden/Winslow Twp.) spurred the run.
 
The spurt continued out of the break as the Red Hawks shooting woes continued. Stockton ran off 16 straight points for a 50-27 before Montclair State broke the streak with a pair of free throws with 2:36 left in the third period.
 
Five points by Madison LaRosa (Oceanport/Shore Regional) and four by Morrone and three foul shots by Nicole Strumolo (Denville/Morris Catholic) gave Stockton an insurmountable lead. The Ospreys posted a 21-7 third quarter advantage.
 
The Red Hawks outscored Stockton 11-10 in the final frame but could not recover and the final score was set at 65-45. The Ospreys have 12 wins on the year for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
 
Morrone added four rebounds, three steals and two assists to her total. Jennings chipped in with 13 points and five boards, while LaRosa added 11 markers.
 
Madison Dulude (Sewell/Washington Twp.) topped all players with nine rebounds, five offensive, as Stockton held a 25-18 advantage on the glass, including 16 on the offensive boards. The Ospreys also shot an outstanding 26-30 (86.7%) from the free throw line in the game to aid the cause.
 
For Montclair State, Nickie Carter scored 12 points as the only player in double-digits. Teresa Wolak scored eight points with a team-high six rebounds.
 
Stockton will take on The College of New Jersey in the second of three straight home games, on Wednesday night at Gerry Matthews Court in Galloway. Game time is set for 5:30 pm.