New Haven, CT – The Montclair State University men's basketball team edged Albertus Magnus 93-89 on Wednesday night to wrap up their two-game season-opening road swing.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (2-0) opened the night with the first five points on a three-point make from SAMAR ABDULLAH and a layup from KIERAN FLANAGAN, both on assists from KABRIEN GOSS. After the Falcons leveled the score, JACOB MORALES connected on two threes to push the score to 11-7. 
• Albertus Magnus battled back to build a four-point lead seven minutes in, and the visitors responded with back-to-back buckets to reclaim the advantage. MIKE JACKSON hit a jump shot, and Morales sank another three-pointer to spark the Red Hawks, who continued their push on two free throws from QUANTAVIOUS ROGERS and a three from AHMAD ROBERTSON to make the score 23-17 approaching the halfway mark of the half.
• Rogers scored off a layup to make the margin eight with 9:14 on the clock, but the Falcons began to whittle away at the deficit, battling back over the next six minutes to eventually level it at 29 and take the lead 23 seconds later on a three-point shot. Montclair reclaimed the lead with 1:31 remaining in the stanza on a three from Abdullah and scored eight of the final 10 points to go into the break up by seven.
• The home side kicked off the second half with a 12-4 run over the opening seven minutes to take a three-point advantage. Montclair bounced back with a jumper from Morales and a layup from Abdullah to reclaim the lead, and after the Falcons briefly tied it, Morales connected on a three to vault Montclair in front again.
• With the two sides level at 55 with 9:45 remaining, the Red Hawks embarked on a nine-point flurry over the next two minutes to build a three-possession lead, capped off by two free throws from Robertson. Albertus Magnus cut the deficit down to one multiple times down the stretch, including with just under four minutes on the clock.
• Robertson answered with a layup, free throw, and three-point make consecutively to push the lead to six, and Jackson converted a layup to put Montclair up eight with 2:45 left. The Falcons came within one a final time with 13 seconds remaining, but the Red Hawks sank five free throws down the stretch to seal the road victory.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Montclair has won consecutive contests away from home to open their season in back-to-back campaigns.
• The Red Hawks have averaged 94 points per game through two contests and have eclipsed 90 points in five consecutive contests dating back to February 14, 2024.
• Robertson matched his career-high with 20 points on the night to lead the way for Montclair. Morales finished with 19 points, including five three-point makes, along with eight rebounds.
• Jackson notched 15 points, and Abdullah collected 10 for the night. 

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will host DeSales in their 2024-25 home opener on Saturday, November 16. Tip-off from the Panzer Athletic Center is scheduled for 1:00 PM.