Jersey City, NJ – Junior JARRETT BOGUS scored 20 points leading three players in double figures however Montclair State couldn't complete a season sweep of New Jersey City, falling to the Gothic Knights 77-70 at the JMAC on Wednesday evening.

The loss, Montclair's third in its last four games, dropped MSU below the .500 mark at 11-12. More importantly, the Red Hawks are now tied fifth place in the NJAC standings at 8-8 with Stockton, who currently own the tiebreaker over Montclair.

MSU is also two games ahead of Rutgers-Newark (6-10) and William Paterson (6-10) for what would be the final spot for the upcoming NJAC Tournament.

DANIEL RAMIS had 16 points while senior BRANDON CHANNER added a double-double of 12 and 10 rebounds for MSU, which had beaten NJCU 48-46 at home back on January 4.

New Jersey City scored the first seven points of the game however Montclair countered with 10 of the next 11 points to take a 10-8 lead on two foul shots by Channer with 14 minutes left. The Gothic Knights went back in front and grabbed a 21-14 advantage which grew to 32-19 after Julius James connected rom behind the arc with 3:09 to go before halftime.

NJCU led 35-27 at the half.

The hosts maintained that lead getting it back to double digits before Montclair cut down the deficit down to four. Ramis drained a three-pointer pulling the Red Hawks within 51-47 with 10:34 left. But the Gothic Knights responded with an 11-2 run restoring the lead to 62-49 with 6:33 to play.

A 14-2 spurt by the Red Hawks gave Montclair one last chance. Channer hit two free throws making the score 66-63 and after a Gothic Knight bucket, Bogus scored inside for a 68-65 NJCU lead with under two minutes to go. New Jersey City then hit six straight at the foul line to boost the lead back to 74-65 with 25 ticks remaining.

JOVANNI CHATHAM and VINCE ANFIELD had seven points apice for Montclair State.

The Red Hawks return to action for their final home game of the season on Saturday, February 11 against TCNJ at 1:00 pm. It will be Senior Day for the Red Hawks who will honor Channer, ERIC MUSTO, JALEEL CHRISTMON and assistant coach BRIAN CROSBY prior to the start of the game.