Montclair, NJ – The top-seeded Montclair State University men's basketball team (20-6) defeated fifth-seeded TCNJ (20-7) by a score of 80-62 on Tuesday night, advancing to the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Finals on Friday.
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After TCNJ opened the game with a slam dunk, Montclair responded with a 9-2 run, featuring three-pointers from MIKE JACKSON and JACOB MORALES. The Lions answered with an 11-2 run, taking a 16-11 lead at the 13:16 mark. The Red Hawks then scored six straight points to regain the lead before both teams traded baskets, with Montclair holding a slim 21-20 advantage at 8:24.
• TCNJ regained momentum with a 6-0 run to go up 26-21 and held off Montclair until the 2:17 mark when Morales hit a jumper, followed by a deep three from KIERAN FLANAGAN to tie the game at 34-34. In the final moments of the half, Morales converted a layup, but TCNJ was fouled with one-second remaining and made both free throws, sending the game into halftime tied at 36-36.
• Montclair came out strong in the second half, opening with a 9-2 run to take a 45-38 lead. TCNJ fought back with consecutive layups, but an and-one play by AHMAD ROBERTSON ignited another 9-2 Montclair run, giving the Red Hawks a double-digit advantage at 54-44 with just over 10 minutes left to play.
• The teams continued exchanging baskets until the 5:09 mark, when KABRIEN GOSS sparked a decisive 14-2 run, extending Montclair's lead to 77-58 with 1:30 remaining. Although TCNJ managed a few late baskets, they ran out of time, and the Red Hawks secured the 80-62 victory, ensuring the NJAC champion will be crowned at Panzer Athletic Center.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Morales delivered a standout performance, scoring a game-high 30 points while shooting an incredible 12-for-13 from the field and 5-for-6 from beyond the arc. He also contributed six rebounds, three steals, two blocks, and two assists.
• Flanagan and Jackson also reached double figures. Flanagan recorded his first double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 assists, while Jackson added 13 points, five rebounds, and a steal.
• The Red Hawks pushed the tempo effectively, scoring 22 fastbreak points.
• Montclair returns to the NJAC Finals for the first time since 2011 when they fell to New Jersey City. They now seek their first conference title in 21 years, last winning in the 2003-04 season.

FROM THE COURT

"Another electric environment in Panzer, appreciate all the support especially from all the former players. I thought our guys did a great job of staying in the moment and being connected. They responded and executed in all the three phases. Overall a great team win." - Head Coach Justin Potts

UP NEXT
Montclair State University will host second-seeded Ramapo on Friday, February 28, for the NJAC championship. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.