Montclair, NJ – Junior CARLOS PENA scored 17 points off the bench leading five players in double figures as Montclair State knocked off Rutgers-Newark, 78-67 at Panzer Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.

Guard JAMES WILLIAMS and TOM BONARD each had 14 points as the Red Hawks moved back over the .500 mark at 7-6 while squaring its record at 1-1 in the NJAC. Phil Barnes led the Scarlet Raiders (7-6, 1-1 NJAC) with 12 points.

Bonard scored 10 points in first half as MSU built a three-point lead after 20 minutes. Leading most of the way in the first half, James Johnson connected on a three-point giving Rutgers-Newark a 21-19 advantage with 7:44 to play. Two free throws by Williams followed by a Pena jumper and three-pointer by MIKE HERN vaulted the Red Hawks to a 32-25 lead with just over three minutes to go. Montclair led by seven before Barnes scored with De'Vion Manning hitting a layup pulling the Raiders within 36-33 at the half.

In the second half, Montclair led 42-41 following two free throws by Rutgers' Ralph Jones, however Montclair answered with a 10-point run, six by Pena, who capped off the spurt with a dunk for a 52-41 lead with 13 minutes remaining.

The Red Hawks would maintain their lead with the Raiders getting within 61-57 on a David Cherry layup. Williams countered with two makes at the line and a layup from Pena restored the lead to seven. Cherry's jumper with 5:14 to go made it a 65-60 contest but the Red Hawk put the game away with a 11-3 run over the next four minutes, going up 76-65 lead after KEN DUDLEY sank two free throws.

Dudley and JON GEORGES each had 10 points for MSU. Pena led the way with seven rebounds and five assists. Bonard also handed out five assists with center RYAN WASHINGTON blocking five shots.

Montclair State returns to action on Saturday, January 12 with a road NJAC contest. The Red Hawks will be at Packer Hall in Ewing, NJ taking on The College of New Jersey