Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University Men's Basketball team is searching for their sixth-straight win as they host William Paterson for a Wednesday evening tilt.
 
GAME INFO
The NJAC showdown will occur in the Panzer Athletic Center at 7:30 pm. Live coverage of the game can be found at montclairathletics.com.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Montclair kept their win streak going with their fifth win in a row when they defeated Rutgers-Newark, 70-57 on Saturday evening. The Red Hawks tallied five of the game's opening seven points, as KIERAN FLANAGAN found JACOB MORALES for back-to-back makes, including one from beyond the arc. Montclair continued their strong start, as they rattled off six-straight points over a three-minute span to make the score 11-4 at the 13:39 mark of the opening stanza. Rutgers-Newark cut into the deficit to come within three, 14-11, just past the halfway mark of the frame. The visitors answered with a 12-0 scoring run over the next three minutes, led by five points from MIKE JACKSON, to take a 15-point advantage. The Scarlet Raiders trimmed the deficit to single digits multiple times over the final seven minutes, but the Red Hawks closed the half up 11 on a driving layup from Flanagan. Shortly into the second frame, Montclair boosted the lead up to 18 on a three from Morales and a dunk from MYLES PRIMAS at the 17:25 mark. Primas connected on a layup two minutes later, and QUANTAVIOUS ROGERS sunk a free throw to push the lead across to 21 five minutes in. GRANT HOLBROOK hit a three with 13:38 remaining to give the Red Hawks their largest lead of the night at 48-26. The Scarlet Raiders responded with the game's next seven points to trim down the deficit, but Montclair would eventually push the advantage back to 21 on a layup from Morales at the 5:34 mark. Shortly after, Rutgers-Newark used a 7-0 spurt to make it an 11-point game with two minutes on the clock. Montclair didn't allow the home side to get within single digits, as they closed out the road victory.
 
TEAM LEADERS
MONTCLAIR STATE (13-5, 8-3 NJAC)
Points Per Game: MIKE JACKSON, 17.6
Rebounds Per Game: Two Tied with 4.9
Field goal percentage: GRANT HOLBROOK, .579
Three Point Percentage: JACOB MORALES, .444
Free throw Percentage: JACOB MORALES, .903
Assists: KIERAN FLANAGAN, 66
Steals: JACOB MORALES, 32
Blocks: JACOB MORALES, 12


WILLIAM PATERSON (5-13, 1-10 NJAC)
Points Per Game: David Martinez, 14.6
Rebounds Per Game: Delani Hyde, 5.7
Field goal percentage: Andre Wells, .557
Three Point Percentage: Andre Wells, .557
Free throw Percentage: Pascal Dodard, .746
Assists: Andre Wells, 89
Steals: Neftali Valentin, 30
Blocks: Delani Hyde, 27


SCOUTING WILLIAM PATERSON
The Pioneers enter this matchup with a 5-13 overall record and a 1-10 NJAC record. They are seeking to end a losing streak that was extended to seven straight games after losing to RV Stockton on Saturday, 78-66.  In 2023-24, William Paterson compiled a 6-19 overall record with a 1-17 NJAC record and missed out on the NJAC Tournament. The Pioneers are projected for a 10th-place finish according to the 2024-25 NJAC Preseason Poll.   

SERIES HISTORY
The long-standing rivalry between the Red Hawks and the Pioneers enters its 189^th matchup. Montclair holds the all-time record at 111-77 and is currently on a seven-game win streak.

LAST MEETING
The Red Hawks and the Pioneers met earlier in the season in Wayne, NJ on December 4, 2024. Montclair downed William Paterson, 97-81 for the win.

UP NEXT
Montclair State University will be back in the Panzer Athletic Center on Wednesday, January 29 for a showdown with rival William Paterson. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 pm.