Newark, NJ - Freshman guard MIKE HERN (Vernon, NJ/Walkill Valley) pumped in a season-high 22 points to lead three players in double figures as Montclair State closed out its 2006-2007 season with a 78-71 victory over Rutgers-Newark in NJAC action at the Golden Dome on Saturday evening.

Senior ERIC SYLVESTER (Orange, NJ/Orange), playing in his final game for the Red Hawks, added 18 as Montclair finished the yeat 12-12 overall, 5-8 in the NJAC's North Division. Montclair also exacted a measure of revenge against the NJAC Tournament bound Scarlet Riaders, for a 77-76 loss at Panzer Gymnasium back on January 24.

The Red Hawks, who trailed by six at the half (44-38) and by as many as nine (55-46) in the second period, scored nine of the game's final 11 points to take the victory.

Tied at 69-69, Sylvester hit a layup with 3:58 to play to put Montclair in front for good. CHARLES MILLER (Linden, NJ/Linden) followed with a layup two minutes later and Hern hit two foul shots to give Montclair a 75-69 lead with 54 seconds to play.

Rutgers-Newark answered with a basket, but Hern added two more from the charity stripe with 27 seconds to make the score 77-71. Freshman JOHN BYRNE (East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) accounted for the final margin with a free throw with 14 seconds remaining.

Freshman guard KEN DUDLEY (Willingboro, NJ/Willingboro)  added 10 points while Miller just missed out on his fifth straight double-double finishing with nine points and a team -best 11 rebounds.

Byrne had eight boards while Hern, who his four three-pointers, was a perfect 8-of-8 from the foul line as the Red Hawks shots 22-of-29 (76 percent) in the game.