Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State men's basketball team knocked off TCNJ 88-76 on Saturday afternoon at the Panzer Athletic Center.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (14-6, 9-4 NJAC) fell behind early as the Lions scored the first seven points of the contest. Montclair later tied the contest at 12 on four consecutive three-point shots, two from both MIKE JACKSON and SAMAR ABDULLAH.
• Montclair opened up a five-point lead with 12 minutes remaining in the half on threes from QUANTAVIOUS ROGERS and KIERAN FLANAGAN. 
• TCNJ took a 29-25 lead with 7:18 on the clock, and after Jackson converted on a layup, neither team could be separated by more than one possession for the next four minutes. The Red Hawks scored the final five points of the half to go in up four at the break.
• Montclair opened its largest lead of the contest early in the second half, as FRANCISCO PAULINO and Flanagan each scored to make the advantage eight 90 seconds into the half.
• KYREE HENRY hit a three with just under 13 minutes left to give the Red Hawks their first double-digit lead of the contest at 11.
• The Lions cut the deficit to six with 11:55 remaining at 67-61, but Jackson rattled off six-straight points to reopen a double-digit lead for the home side. Montclair did not let the lead fall into single digits the rest of the way, sealing their fifth-straight victory in NJAC play.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Jackson led all scorers with 26 points on 11-18 shooting, including four three-point shots. The guard has tallied 20 or more points in three of Montclair's last four contests. 
• Flanagan finished with a career-high 21 points to go along with four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. 
• Paulino was the third and final Red Hawk in double-figures with 11 points.
• With the victory, Montclair remained in a three-way tie with Rowan and Stockton for first place in the NJAC with a 9-4 mark in conference play. It also extended the Red Hawks' season-high five-game winning streak.

FROM THE COURT

"Another great environment in Panzer, shoutout to Coach Palazzo and the football team. Thought our guys showed a ton of grit and executed Montclair State Basketball for 40 minutes today." - Head Coach Justin Potts

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will travel to take on William Paterson on Wednesday, January 31. Tip-off from Wayne, NJ is scheduled for 8:00 pm.