Montclair, NJ – Behind a new program record in points, the Montclair State University men's basketball team surged past William Paterson, 123-92, on Wednesday night at the Panzer Athletic Center.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (14-5, 9-3 NJAC) were knotted at five with the Pioneers early, as the home side embarked on a quick 10-2 spurt to surge out to a 15-7 advantage six minutes into the contest, a run capped off by a fastbreak layup from AHMAD ROBERTSON. The visitors cut the deficit to three 90 seconds later, but the Red Hawks answered with back-to-back three point makes from JACOB MORALES to push the lead to nine.
• Morales continued his offensive surge, as he connected on another three a possession later to give Montclair its first double-digit lead of the night at 24-14. William Paterson shaved the deficit to five just past the halfway point of the opening stanza, but the Red Hawks rebuilt a 12-point lead three minutes later on a three from RYAN CASSELS. 
• Cassels converted another three a few minutes later to push the advantage to 14 points, but the Pioneers answered with another run to come with five at the 4:08 mark. A minute later, Robertson hit a three, Morales sunk a layup, and QUANTAVIOUS ROGERS added a bucket to balloon the lead to 15. Morales hit another shot from distance on the next possession, as Montclair would go into the break up 21 on a layup in the waning seconds from CHRISTIAN CEVIS.
• Montclair added to their offensive showing in the early moments of the second stanza with eight consecutive points from Morales to go up 71-42 two and a half minutes in. The Red Hawks later eclipsed a 30-point margin with a three-point make from Cassels at the 14-minute mark. William Paterson shaved the lead to 25 shortly after, but Morales responded with and an-one opportunity a few possessions later.
• The Pioneers would only get as close as 21 the rest of the way, hitting that mark with 10:30 on the clock. Morales would later push the lead across 30 again, hitting a three with seven minutes left to help Montclair eclipse the century mark for points. HENRY MEYERS knocked in a shot from beyond the arc with just over two minutes remaining to give the Red Hawks their largest lead of the contest at 33. Buckets from LUIS ARMAS and DYLAN COQ down the stretch helped Montclair set a new program record for points scored in a game.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Montclair's 123 points scored are the most in the program's history, surpassing the previous mark of 120, set against Bloomfield on February 9, 1954. 
• Their 46 field goals made rank third in school history, with the 24 three-point makes setting a new program record, surging past the previous total of 18, which was most recently on February 1, 2023 against William Paterson.
• Morales led the way with a career-high 40 points on 14-for-17 shooting from the field and 9-for-11 from distance. His 40 points are tied for fifth-most in program history with Gian Paul Gonzalez, who hit the mark on November 22, 2005 against NJCU. The junior also notched his first career double-double with 10 rebounds.
• The 40 points were the most for a Red Hawk since MIKE JACKSON compiled 42 against Rowan on February 16, 2022. The 14 field goal makes for Morales are tied for fourth in program history, with his nine three-pointers tied for second in program history.
• Cassels finished with a career-high 19 points on 7-for-11 from the field and 5-for-8 shooting from three. Robertson was the final Red Hawk in double figures with 13 points, his eighth double-digit game of the campaign.
• 14 different Red Hawks recorded points on the night, with Montclair compiling 72 bench points, outscoring the William Paterson bench by 53.
• Montclair has won six consecutive games and is now tied with Stockton for the top spot in the New Jersey Athletic Conference with a 9-3 mark in league play with six games to go. The Red Hawks have a win streak of six or more games in each of their last three seasons. 
• The 31-point margin of victory is the second-highest of the campaign for Montclair, as they took down Emmanuel 103-56 on December 31.

FROM THE COURT

"Nothing like the environment in Panzer. Appreciate the fans bringing the energy. Thought our depth really showed tonight. Our guys did a great job sharing the ball and competing for 40 minutes." - Head Coach Justin Potts

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will remain home to take on Rutgers-Camden on Saturday, February 1. Tip-off from the Panzer Athletic Center is scheduled for 1:00 PM.