MONTCLAIR, N.J. – The Albright women's basketball team (3-8) was in action this afternoon on the final day of 2023 in the Montclair State Tournament. Albright played tournament host Montclair State and dropped the game to the Redhawks 84-71.
Today's game marked the last game of 2023 and the last game in Albright's six game road trip. Albright has not played a home game since November 28.
Albright and Montclair State are now 2-2 against each other since 2016. Albright won the last meeting over Montclair State 57-45 in 2018.
The Redhawks led 44-29 at the half using a balanced offense attack. Montclair State got at least three points from nine different players in the first half.
Albright was led by
Mackenzie Dover in the first half as the junior guard was closing in on another double-digit scoring game. Dover scored nine first half points and dished out two assists.
Shakyla Mayo scored five first half points while
Saidat Abbas and
Julia Zakovitch each scored four.
The Lions outscored Montclair State by six in the third quarter to cut their deficit down to 58-49 with 10 minutes to play. A Zakovitch jumper with 24 seconds left in the third got Albright within 10.
With 4:14 left in the game
Gigi Serrano finished a layup assisted by
CJ Apistar to get Albright within two at 68-66. The Redhawks however withstood the ferocious Lion comeback using a 16-5 run to close the game and ultimately win the contest.
Dover was Albright's leading scorer for the both games this weekend and finished today's game with 19 points. Dover has scored at least 19 points in five games this season. The guard added four rebounds, three assists and two steals to her point total this afternoon.
Serrano and Zakovitch both scored in double figures going for 13 and 10 points, respectively. The duo combined to shoot 9-18 from the floor with Serrano adding two rebounds and Zakovitch collecting five rebounds.
Abbas was strong off the bench for Albright finishing with six points and eight rebounds. Apistar filled up the box score collecting nine points, five rebounds and six assists.
Up Next:
Albright will now enter MAC Commonwealth play after the new year. The Lions first MAC Commonwealth game is against Messiah on Wednesday, January 3 at 7 p.m. The game will take place on the campus of Albright College at the Bollman Center.
