Winchester, VA – Sophomore guard ERICK LOFTEN-HARRIS scored on a conventional three-point play with five seconds remaining in overtime as Montclair State slipped past Methodist University, 88-86 in the BB&T Tip-Off Classic at Shenandoah University on Saturday evening.

Freshman LAVRONE GREEN finished with 18 points leading five players in double figures for MSU (1-0), who will face Cazenovia in the championship game on Sunday, November 16 at 4:00 pm.

The Red Hawks trailed 34-36 at halftime but managed to take a 77-75 lead with 12 seconds remaining in the second half as Loften-Harris hit two from the free throw line.  However the Monarchs' Mike Major was able to lay-in the tying basket with one second left in regulation to force the overtime.

The win was the first for MSU interim head coach Daren Rowe, who took over the program after Ted Fiore stepped down in October after 16 seasons. Rowe had been an assistant at Montclair State the last 15 years under Fiore,.

In the extra period, CHRIS TORRES gave Montclair State the lead 23 seconds in however Methodist got a three-point from Major and a free throw by Tabais Hillard for an 82-79 advantage with 3:21 to go. Chris Vinson added another foul shot for Methodist but two from the line by Shaune Russell got Montclair State back to 83-831 with 2:03 to play.

Hilliard added a layup to boost the Methodist lead back to four before a hoop in the lane by MSU's KEVIN MCGORRY made it 85-83 with 1:18 remaining.  Parker Desmond connected once at the foul line with 57 seconds giving the Monarchs a three-point lead but McGorry again came through with a basket making the score 86-85 with 46 seconds to go. Parker would misfire on a shot with 18 seconds left with Russell snaring the rebounds giving Montclair one last chance. Loften-Harris drove the pain and was fouled with five seconds remaining. He made the basket and ensuing free throw putting Montclair State in front 88-86.

After a timeout, Methodist had one last chance however a layup by Hillard missed and the Red Hawks escaped with the two-point victory.

Harris finished with 13 points, five rebounds and four assists for Montclair State, which got 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks by Russell. MARCUS FULMORE and McGorry each had 10 points with Torres adding nine points and seven rebounds off the bench. McGorry grabbed seven boards with Fulmore chipping in with six rebounds.