Upper Montclair, NJ - JAHAD CAMPBELL (Newark, NJ/Science) scored seven points, all in the second, half as Rutgers-Newark used a key second-half run to defeat Montclair State, 45-40 in New Jersey Athletic Conference men's basketball action at Panzer Gymansium this evening.

RONNIE MELENDEZ (West New York, NJ/Memorial) led the way for the Scarlet Raiders (2-1, 1-0 NJAC) with eight points as Rutgers-Newark used a 12-2 run early in the second half. JOSEPH THOMAS  (Linden, NJ/Linden) had 12 points for Montclair State (1-2, 0-1 NJAC), which shot just 8-of-26 (30 percent) over the final 20 minutes.

MSU led 23-21 at halftime, but the Scarlet Raiders tied the game at 25-25 with 18:24 left as JAFAR MARTIN (Newark, NJ/Milton Hershey (PA)) and ASMAR FORTNEY (Plainfield, NJ/Middlesex) scored on layups. Melendez then scored the next four points to give the Scarlet Raiders the lead, 29-25 before Fortney and SEMONE MORANT (Willingboro, NJ/Willingboro) each added a basket. Montclair then responded with eight points of its own to tie the game at 33-33 with 9:09 to play. Thomas and OMAR BOOTHE (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck) scored four points apiece in the run. Campbell then gave Rutgers-Newark the lead for good with a layup.

The Red Hawks had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds, but Fortney blocked a BEN MARTINEZ (Scotch Plains, NJ/SP-Fanwood) three-point attempt with four seconds left. Campbell then sealed the game with a pair of free throws.