Montclair, NJ – Freshman guard MIKE JACKSON scored a career-best 18 points, including five three-pointers as Montclair State knocked off The College of New Jersey, 71-53 at the Panzer Athletic Center on Saturday.
Junior guard KEYON PRYCE added 11 points as the Red Hawks (9-6, 6-5 NJAC) won their third straight and avenged an 88-87, double-overtime loss to the Lions in Ewing, NJ back on December 4.

After leading by as many as 12 points in the first half, MSU held a 36-30 advantage at the break and saw that go to a four-point lead as the Lions' Danny Bodine scored on a layup making the score 36-32. Jackson answered with five in a row, including a three for a 41-32 lead with 16:07 to go.

Montclair then put on a 15-4 burst over a five-minute span midway through the half. Jackson got the first bucket on a three-pointer with back-to-back triples by Keiran Flanagan pushing the lead to 53-36 with 10:06 left. Pryce added three free throws and a DEVIN COOPER three-pointer from the wing upped the margin to 62-38 with 8:25 remaining.

AMARI MILLS would give the Red Hawks their largest lead of the game at 71-42 with just over six minutes remaining.

Cooper, IRVING CALLENDER IV and FRANCISCO PAULINO each finished with nine points for the Red Hawks with Mills totaling seven along with three rebounds. Callender grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and dished out four assists.  Jackson rounded out his day with five rebounds and four steals.

Montclair State is back in action on Wednesday, January 26, this time on the road. The Red Hawks will be in Mahwah, NJ to face Ramapo College at the Bradley Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm.