MONTCLAIR, NJ (November 15, 2023) -- Gianna Dickson scored a team-high 13 points, and the King's College women's basketball team out scored the host Montclair State University 19-13 in the third quarter on their way to a 42-36 win on the road on Wednesday night. The Monarchs improve to 2-1 overall, while the Red Hawks drop to 1-2 to begin the season.
 
It was a defensive game from start to finish, with the first 7:32 of action featuring three ties and three lead changes before the host Montclair State (1-2) put up the next six points in the game to hold a 13-7 edge with 7:47 to go in the half. A 7-0 spurt featuring baskets from Rowan Murray and Brandy Varner and a three from Dickson put King's (2-1) back on top, 14-13, but three free throws from the Red Hawks and another score from Dickson saw the game tied at 16-16 at the half.
 
King's shot 57.1% from the floor in the third to help build their lead, beginning with a three from Dickson and a put back from Juleesah Hines. The teams traded baskets over the next few possessions, but five points from Alli Lindsay and a layup from Dickson pushed the Monarchs advantage to 30-20 with 4:20 remaining in the third. Montclair State made a push to end the quarter with King's still ahead, 35-29, heading into the final 10 minutes of play.
 
The Monarchs defense remained steady in the fourth quarter, limiting the Red Hawks to just three field goals, including 1-for-7 from beyond the arc, to squander the comeback efforts. Montclair State scored on their second possession of the quarter, but Dickson found a cutting Caileigh Costello on a back-door cut in the middle of the lane to match the Red Hawks early in the frame. The team's split trips on their offensive ends, but a steal and score from Brenna Costello and some strong defensive plays down the stretch secured the 42-36 win for King's on the road in the Panzer Athletic Center on Tuesday night.
 
Dickson recorded 13 points with two three's while adding four boards and two steals. Lindsay posted seven points with a team-high seven rebounds and two assists, while Caileigh Costello also totaled seven points with three caroms. Varner led the bench in scoring with six points and four boards, while Brenna Costello collected a team-high four steals with two helpers. Additionally, Juleesah Hines pulled down five caroms to go along with four points, a block, and a steal.
 
Montclair State was led by Isabella Orlando with 14 points and two steals, while Olivia Vero grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. Additionally, Kendall Hodges came off the bench to dish out a team-leading four assists with two steals.
 
As a team, the Monarchs defense was spot on in the contest, holding the Red Hawks to 21.3 percent (13-61) from the floor and 12.5 percent (3-24) from three while also forcing 22 turnovers to go along with their 10 steals. Inside the box score, King's held the edge in points off turnovers (12-11) and points in the paint (22-20) in the win.
 
King's returns home on Saturday afternoon to host Lycoming College in a non-conference match up at 2:00 p.m. in McGrane Gymnasium.