New York, NY – Junior guard ERICK LOFTEN-HARRIS scored a career-high 27 points while BRANDON CHANNER added a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds as Montclair State got its 2015-16 season off on the right foot with an 85-70 win at Baruch College on Friday evening.

Junior guard SHAUN RUSSELL pumped in 21 points as the Red Hawks (1-0) made new head coach Marlon Sears a winner in his debut with the program. Sears was named the 15^th head coach in the history of the program in June.

MSU battled back from a seven-point halftime deficit to register its second consecutive season-opening victory while remaining unbeaten in its history against the Bearcats. MSU improved to 5-0 in the series in the first meeting between the two squads since 2002.

The Red Hawks trailed 39-32 at halftime and a basket to start the second half put the hosts up by nine before Montclair began its comeback Trailing 43-35 with 17 minutes left, MSU went on an 18-6 run over the next five minutes to take the lead. Russell had the first four points with Channer getting the final 12 points including a three-point that put Montclair up 52-49 with 12:09 remaining.

After trading points, Russell finished off a fast break giving the Red Hawks the lead for good at 54-53 with 9:07 to go. MSU remained in front and led 66-62 with 3:39 to play as Chimaechi Ekekeugbor scored on a layup. Loften-Harris drilled a huge three-pointer with 2:44 left and later added two from the line extending the Montclair State lead to 71-62.

Raymond De La Cruz got some of it back with a three-pointer however Russell scored from close range and Loften-Harris made two at the line restoring the lead to 75-65 with 1:43 remaining. JORDAN ROBERSON scored on a layup with Russell hitting two from the line as Montclair led 79-67 with 54 seconds to go.  The Red Hawks closed out the game with six consecutive free throws with Loften-Harris hitting four of them.

Loften-Harris and Channer each hit 12 free hrows as MSU made 30-of-40 from the foul line in the game. Loften-Harris finished a rebound shy of a double-double and also added four assists. Russell grabbed five boards as did JARRETT BOGUS, Roberson and DEVYN RANSOM.

MSU held a huge advantage on the glass outrebounding Baruch 57-20, including 23-4 on the offensive glass.

Montclair State returns to action on Tuesday, November 17 heading out on the road once again. MSU will face Washington College (MD) in Chestertown, MD at 7:30 pm.