Union, NJ – Junior JONATHAN ARTHUR (Maplewood, N.J.) led all players with 23 points, as Montclair State University defeated Kean University, 80-67, in men's basketball action Saturday afternoon at Harwood Arena.

The Red Hawks (8-8, 2-4 NJAC) shot a sharp 58% in the contest (29-50), including a 7-for-14 performance from three-point range.

GARAN DICKSON ( Maplewood, N.J.) had 16 points off the bench for MSU, who was out-rebounded 47-33 in the contest. Junior Lamar Wright ( Galloway, N.J.) led the Cougars (11-7, 2-4 NJAC) with 15 points and eight rebounds in the loss.

Both teams see-sawed in a first half that featured six lead changes, as well as no advantage greater than four points, up until the final minute and a half of action. With the score tied at 30 all, the seventh tie of the game, the Red Hawks closed out the half on a 7-2 run, to give MSU a slim lead, a lead they would not relinquish, heading into the break.

Freshman CHARLES MILLER ( Linden, N.J.) broke the tie with a layup at 1:08. After an ERIC SYLVESTER ( Orange, N.J.) basket, freshman MIKE HERN ( Hamburg, N.J.) gave MSU their largest lead, 37-30, with a trey with 30 seconds remaining. Senior Bryan Keller ( Piscataway, N.J.) ended the half with a basket near the buzzer for the Cougars, who trailed, 37-32, at the break.

Arthur led all players with 14 first half points, while Hern chipped in with eight for Montclair State. Freshman KEN DUDLEY (Willingboro, N.J.) had a fine all-around game with six points, eight rebounds, 10 assists and five steals.

Junior William Floyd ( Eustis, Fla.) led Kean with six points, while sophomore Karwana Palmer ( East Orange, N.J.) added five.

Montclair State returns to action on Wednesday, January 24 as it returns to the Panzer Gymnasium for a 8:00 pm tipoff against NJAC North Division rival Rutgers-Newark