Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Entering the second half in a draw, the Montclair State University Men's Basketball team (7-3) put together a second-half surge to help push themselves past UMass Dartmouth (3-6), 101-95 on Saturday evening.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The contest started back-and-forth within the first three minutes of the game. The Corsairs held a 8-7 lead at the 17:18 timestamp before a KABRIEN GOSS jumper sparked a 9-0 run for the Red Hawks to take a 16-8 lead. Montclair held off Dartmouth until the 9:38 mark when they retook the lead, 22-21 but a MYLES PRIMAS free throw nodded the game up 22-22 about 20 seconds later.
• The Red Hawks retook the lead with a JACOB MORALES three and held onto the lead until the Corsairs tied the game up 30-30 with 5:18 remaining in the first half. Both teams again battled back-and-forth and just as Montclair thought they were going to take a three-point lead into the half, UMass Dartmouth hit a three-pointer with 12 seconds to go in the half and the score hit 46-46 heading into the second.
• Dartmouth jumped out to an early 50-46 lead but another Morales deep ball generated a 9-0 run to take a 55-50 advantage. Montclair attempted to fend off Dartmouth but they once again climbed back and eventually tied the game, 68-68 at just over the halfway point in the final half.
• A Goss jumper and a MIKE JACKSON three-pointer gave the Red Hawks a 73-68 lead but the Corsairs outscored them 12-6 over the next four minutes to take their first lead since the first half, 79-77 with 6:57 remaining.
• It was now Dartmouth who tried to hold off a Montclair surge, however after an 84-81 Corsair lead, the Red Hawks compiled an 8-0 run helped them retake the lead at 89-84 and did not surrender the lead the rest of the way to take a much-needed victory, 101-95.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The Red Hawks hit triple digits for the second time this season with 101 points, which fell just one point short of their season-high total of 102, which they scored against Rowan on November 26.
• The Montclair offense was led by both Morales and Jackson, who combined for 54 for the Red Hawks 101 points. Morales posted a season-high 31 points, which was also a team-high this season when he shot 11-for-16 from the floor and an astounding 7-for-10 from three. Jackson notched 23 on 9-for-14 shooting and 5-for-9 from three.
• KIERAN FLANAGAN had a great all-around game, leading the team in rebounds (8), assists (6), and steals (3). He also notched six points in the game.

 
FROM THE COURT

"Really proud of our response today. Guys competed and stayed connected all day. Thought our depth really showed today and made a great impact on the outcome. Overall a great team win heading into the break." - Head Coach Justin Potts
 
UP NEXT

Montclair State University will close out 2024 with a New Year's Eve slate in the Panzer Athletic Center when they host Emmanuel (Mass.) for a 1:00 pm tip-off.