Montclair, NJ – In a game that came down to the buzzer, the Montclair State Men's Basketball team (12-5, 7-3 NJAC) earned their fourth win in a row and outlasted Rowan (9-8, 6-4 NJAC), 79-78 on Wednesday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The two teams battled back and forth in the first three minutes of the game and were deadlocked at 8-8 before a 10-0 run for the Red Hawks jumped them out 18-8 at the 14:02 mark in the first half.
- Rowan one-upped Montclair and scored 11 unanswered points to switch the game back in their favor. The game then saw four lead changes up to a 25-23 Profs lead. CHRISTIAN CEVIS converted an and-one while MIKE JACKSON hit two free throws to put them back up three with 6:26 remaining in the half. The Red Hawks outscored Rowan 14-9 down the stretch and led 42-37 heading into the second half.
- The Profs came out of the break hot and scored seven unanswered points to regain the lead, 44-42. Rowan was not able to hold off Montclair for long however as they faced a 52-50 deficit but a three from RYAN CASSELS and a layup from GRANT HOLBROOK once again gave them the lead, 55-52 with just over 14 minutes left in the contest.
- Montclair tried to pull away on a jumper and deep-ball from KIERAN FLANAGAN but could not as Rowan put together a small 9-3 run to regain the lead 66-63 heading into the final 10 minutes of the game.
- The game saw five lead changes and three tied scores up to the 3:46 timestamp with Rowan out in front, 74-73. The Red Hawks once again retook the lead after MIKE JACKSON secured a layup and QUANTAVIOUS ROGERS knocked down two free throws and held a 77-74 lead.
- The final two minutes of the game were as memorable as they come. After both teams exchanged layups, with 26 seconds remaining, Rowan cut the lead to one at 79-78. Montclair was unable to convert their one-and-one free throw, giving Rowan a chance to take the lead. They missed a three-pointer with 15 seconds left and the Red Hawks had a chance to at least avoid a three-ball defeat that would just send the game to overtime with two made free throws off a foul. They once again could not hit from the free-throw line. Rowan secured the rebound, advanced the ball, and called a timeout to try and operate something. After the officials confirmed the time at the replay monitor, the Profs were given just 1.9 seconds to produce a game-winner. After a swing pass of the basketball to the right-side corner, Rowan's Brycen Williams put up a shot at the buzzer and drilled the shot for what was believed to be the game-winner. The officials went to the replay monitor once again to confirm the shot counted and determined that ball was not out of Williams' hands in time and the Panzer Athletic Center erupted as the Red Hawks emerged victorious.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- After being on the outside looking in on the NJAC standings just two weeks ago following a home loss to New Jersey City, Montclair has won four straight games and currently sits in second place in the conference standings.
- The Red Hawks were led tonight by AHMAD ROBERTSON, who led the team with 18 points on 7-for-10 shooting and 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. He also produced two rebounds, a steal, and a block.
- JACOB MORALES produced his 12th straight double-digit scoring effort with 14 in the contest and led the team with eight rebounds.
FROM THE COURT
- "Another great environment in Panzer tonight. Appreciate the support of students, families, and friends. Great basketball game by both teams for 40 minutes. Proud of our guy's fight and connectivity from start to finish." Head Coach Justin Potts.
UP NEXT
Montclair State University will seek to make it nine NJAC wins in a row when they travel to faceoff with Rutgers-Newark on Saturday, January 25. Tip-off from the Golden Dome is scheduled for 6:00 p
