Newark, NJ – Forward STEVEN BREEMAN scored 19 points as Montclair State returned to action following a long layoff, picking up a big win as it topped Rutgers-Newark, 62-59 at the Golden Dome on Wednesday evening.

Senior guard DEVIN COOPER added 14 points as the Red Hawks (2-4 NJAC) handed the Scarlet Raiders (8-4, 5-1 NJAC), their first conference loss of the season while moving its record past the .500 mark at 6-5.

After grabbing an early advantage, MSU was down 12-10 with 12 minutes left before scoring nine straight to take the lead. Freshman MIKE JACKSON got it rolling with a three-pointer with AMARI MILLS hitting two from the line making the score 15-12. Cooper got the final four points giving MSU a seven-point lead with 7:20 to go before halftime.

The Raiders would get within three points inside four minutes, but Montclair scored seven of the final eight points to take a 30-20 lead into the break.

A three-pointer by IRVING CALLENDER IV with 16 minutes remaining in the second half gave the Red Hawks their largest lead of the game at 45-30. Rutgers-Newark would cut that down to seven point near the halfway point. MSU answered that with a seven-point burst restoring the lead to 53-14 with 9:56 left. KIERAN FLANAGAN had a three with Cooper and KEYON PRYCE each recording field goals.

Rutgers-Newark did not go away and made a late charge. Quincy Rutherford drained a three-pointer getting the hosts within 59-57 with 2:32 left. Rutherford had a chance give the Raiders the lead with 25 seconds left, however his three-pointer went off the mark. Montclair got the key rebound and Breeman was fouled with 16 ticks. He made both making the score 61-57 but Abe Kromah quickly countered at the other end with a layup with nine seconds to play.

Breeman would sink the second of two free throws with seven seconds to go giving MSU the 62-59 advantage. The Raiders would get one last shot, but Russell Ayala's three in the last second came up short.

Jackson and Pryce each had eight points for MSU with Flanagan totaling six along with five rebounds. Pryce also had five caroms with Callender pulling down the same total.

Montclair State is scheduled to be in action on Saturday, January 8 at home. The Red Hawks will host Rutgers-Camden in a 1:00 pm tipoff at the Panzer Athletic Center.