Salem, VA – Junior forward BRANDON CHANNER scored 14 points and added nine rebounds however McDaniel College used a late first-half run to propel itself to a 63-53 victory over Montclair State in the Morris Cregger Classic at Roanoke College on Saturday afternoon.

The loss, Montclair's fifth in the last sixth games, sends the Red Hawks (5-5) into Sunday's Consolation Game at 12:00 pm against Kenyon.

A back-and-forth first 20 minutes swung in the direction of the Green Terror (5-3) in the last three minutes of the half. Channer scored on a layup for an 18-7 MSU advantage with 2:53 to play. However McDaniel scored the next seven points which was part of a 13-3 run to close out the half.

Wes Brooks drained a three-pointer to give McDaniel the lead and a basket by Cameron Royster and two foul shots from Austin Cannon made the score 24-18 with 1:16 to go.  Channer ended the run with a basket however Royster connected from deep in the left corner for a 27-20 lead inside the final minute. Montclair got one back on a foul shot by ERICK LOFTEN-HARRIS with four seconds. Loften-Harris missed the second attempt and Kevin Yrizarry grabbed the rebound.

Yrizarry made an outlet pass to Brooks who then fed the ball to Cannon near midcourt. Cannon took two dribbles before letting go a 34-foot heave that swished through the net putting the Green Terror up 30-21 at the break.

A three-pointer by Brooks in the second half widened the lead to 39-26 with 14 minutes to play. Loften-Harris hit a jumper to bring MSU within 42-35 with 10:12 left but Cannon answered with a three and Tim Stewart hit a jumper to boost the lead back to 47-35 with eight minutes remaining.

Two free throws from Loften-Harris trimmed the lead to 58-53 with 1:33 to go but McDaniel closed out the game making 5-of-8 at the charity stripe for the final margin.
Loften-Harris added 11 points for MSU while SHAUN RUSSELL and JORDAN ROBERSON had seven points apiece.

Following the Cregger Classic, Montclair State returns home for a Wednesday, January 6 matchup with Rowan University at the Panzer Athletic Center. Tipoff of the NJAC contest is scheduled for 8:00 pm.