Men's Basketball 12/8/2021 8:30:00 AM

Men's Basketball: Game Day Preview vs. William Paterson

Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State men's basketball team welcomes William Paterson University for a New Jersey Athletic Conference matchup Wednesday.

GAME INFO
Tipoff inside the Panzer Athletic Center is scheduled for 8 pm, with live stats and video available on montclairathletics.com. Video can also be found on the Red Hawk Sports Network YouTube Channel.

LAST TIME OUT
On Saturday afternoon, Montclair State was clipped 88-87 in double-overtime by The College of New Jersey. DEVIN COOPER scored 26 points as IRVING CALLENDER IV chipped in 24 points and nine rebounds. MSU had a chance to win at the buzzer, but their final shot did not go, and the Lions escaped with the one-point win.

AWARD SEASON
Fresh off his 18 point-five rebound performance against the Lions, sophomore AMARI MILLS was named the NJAC Rookie of the Week. He joins KYREE HENRY as men's basketball student-athletes that have been recognized by the conference this season.

TEAM LEADERS
Montclair State
Points Per Game: IRVING CALLENDER IV, 18.9
Rebounds Per Game: IRVING CALLENDER IV, 9.3
Assists Per Game: KIERAN FLANAGAN and DEVIN COOPER, 3.7
Field Goal Percentage: AMIR WILLIAMS, .600
Three-Pointers Made: KEYON PRYCE, 14

William Paterson
Points Per Game: Dominic Mignone, 22.5
Rebounds Per Game: Dominic Mignone, 6.5
Assists Per Game: Dominic Mignone, 4.0
Field Goal Percentage: Dominic Mignone and Cody Ripato, .500
Three-Pointers Made: Nick Rodriguez, 21

SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
The Pioneers are 4-2 overall and 2-1 within the NJAC. They dropped an 87-82 overtime decision to Rutgers-Newark for their first conference setback of the season Saturday. Dominic Mignone led four players in double-figures in the loss.

LAST MEETING
Montclair State topped William Paterson 84-78 in the First Round of the NJAC Tournament last season. After trailing by two at the break, the Red Hawks outscored the Pioneers 47-39 over the final 20 minutes to earn a win. IRVING CALLENDER IV scored 22 points, while DEVIN COOPER scored five points in the last 56 seconds to preserve the win.

SERIES HISTORY
The Red Hawks are 104-76 all-time against the Pioneers, including three consecutive victories. Montclair State has picked up wins in seven of the last eight meetings, including all three last season. William Paterson's best stretch came in the mid-2000s, as they won eight straight from 2004-2008. In the series, the Red Hawks hold a 28-23 advantage at home.

UP NEXT
The Red Hawks visit Stockton on Saturday for a 1 pm matchup against the Ospreys.