Montclair, NJ – Junior forward Anaserlrahman Abdu sank a pair of free throws with 29 seconds left in the second overtime and Brooklyn College held off two late attempts by Montclair State in the closing seconds as the Bulldogs pulled out a 99-98 victory in the Ollie Gelston Classic on Friday evening.
 
Chris McIllhatton scored 28 points while Enees Nikovic added 22 and 10 rebounds as Brooklyn squandered a 10-point lead in the second half but recovered for their first victory of the young season (1-1).
 
Senior BRANDON CHANNER poured in a game-high 36 points and added 12 rebounds for Montclair State. JORDAN ROBERSON (13 points, 13 rebounds) and freshman RAHSAAN JOHNSON (16 points, 11 rebounds) each had double-double performances for MSU.
 
Trailing 68-58 with 7:55 left, Montclair State whittled away at the lead and managed to pull ahead 78-77 with 1:07 to go as Channer drained a three-pointer. Nikovic tied the game with 54 ticks making one of two at the foul line. MSU turned the ball over but got right back on a steal by ISAIAH CHANNER with 26 seconds. The Red Hawks played for the last shot which came from BRANDON CHANNER but the attempt was off the mark and on to overtime the game went.
 
In the first OT, two free throws each by Nikovic and McIllhatton put the Bulldogs up 84-80 with 3:26 remaining. Montclair erased that on consecutive buckets by BRANDON CHANNER however a layup by Niv Konfinoput Brooklyn back in front 88-86 with one minute showing on the clock. MSU missed its attempt at the other end but came up with a big play as BRANDON CHANNER stole the ball an raced in for a layup knotting the game at 88-88 with 14 seconds left.
 
This time it was Brooklyn playing for the last shot which it would get as McIllhatton drove the lane with two seconds. But his game-winning attempt went across the rim and one to the second overtime the game went.
 
McIllhatton and BRANDON CHANNER traded three-pointers to open the second extra period and three straight from Channer gave MSU a 94-91 lead. Johnson's layup kept the lead at 96-93 before two straight baskets by Konfino gave the Bulldogs a 97-96 lead.
 
Adbu hit the two free throws but Channer scored with 14 seconds pulling MSU within 99-98. Again the Red Hawks came up with a big defensive play as ISAIAH CHANNER made a steal giving Montclair one final chance. Abdu blocked BRANDON CHANNER with four seconds. MSU still had possession but turned it over on the inbounds virtually ending any comeback chance.
 
JARRETT BOGUS had 10 points for Montclair State which outrebounded Brooklyn 61-56 including a decisive 27-13 on the offensive glass. The Red Hawks failed to capitalize on their attempts at the free throw line making just 15-of-32 attempts.
 
Montclair State will face City College of New York on Saturday, November 19 in the Ollie Gelston Classic at 1:00 pm.