Center Valley, PA – The Montclair State men's basketball team defeated Muhlenberg 84-74 behind a second-half scoring surge on Friday night on the first night of the Al Senavitis Memorial Tournament.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (9-3) jumped out to an early 7-3 advantage behind five points from MIKE JACKSON and a jumper from FRANCISCO PAULINO. 
• After Muhlenberg briefly took the lead at the 13:13 mark, Montclair responded with 13 of the next 18 points, including seven from KUNGA TSERING, to make the margin 20-12 with 11 minutes remaining in the half.
• The Mules closed the gap and took the lead for the second time in the half with 3:52 on the clock. The Red Hawks got two late three-point shots from SAMAR ABDULLAH and four points from QUANTAVIOUS ROGERS, but Muhlenberg went into the break with a 40-39 advantage.
• Montclair and Muhlenberg played a tight-contested four minutes to open the second half, a stretch that featured five lead changes. The Red Hawks took the lead with 15:40 remaining and rattled off a quick eight points to make the score 55-47 with just over 14 minutes on the clock.
• The Mules brought the deficit to four with 4:28 left, but Jackson and Paulino combined for nine points to give Montclair its largest lead at 80-69, a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the way.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Jackson finished with a game-high 21 points to go along with 13 boards. It marked the fifth double-double of the campaign for the guard, who has registered 20 or more points in seven games.
• KEYON PRYCE was the other Red Hawk in double figures with 12 points. Rogers collected a season-high eight points off the bench.
• 13 Red Hawks played in the contest, with 10 getting in on the scoring. The Montclair bench outscored Muhlenberg's 33-11.
• Six of Montclair's nine wins this season have come on the road or at a neutral site.

FROM THE COURT
"Thought our guys played with great energy and effort for 40. Our depth really showed and thought we did a good job of playing Montclair State basketball tonight." Head Coach Justin Potts. 

UP NEXT
The Red Hawks will remain in Pennsylvania to take on DeSales on day two of the Al Senavitis Memorial Tournament, with game time slated for 4:00 pm.