Montclair, NJ – The #8 Montclair State University men's basketball set a new program record with their 15th consecutive victory, edging The College of New Jersey 76-72 on Wednesday night at the Panzer Athletic Center.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (15-0, 8-0 NJAC) rattled off seven-straight points early to race out to a 9-4 advantage on a turnaround jump shot from JACOB MORALES two minutes into the contest. After TCNJ cut the game to one, Montclair collected three consecutive buckets to climb ahead by seven two and half minutes later. With 13:47 remaining in the period, a step back shot from CRISTIAN NICHOLSON nudged the lead to nine, 23-14.
• Over the next three and a half minutes, the Lions amassed 11 of the next 13 points to surge ahead by one, 29-28, their first lead since the opening moments. The two sides traded baskets over the next 90 seconds before the Red Hawks countered with a 11-2 scoring run, led by seven points from KABRIEN GOSS. Montclair rebuilt their nine-point advantage with 4:32 on the clock, but the visitors totaled the final 12 points of the half to go into the break with the lead, 44-41.
• A three-point make in the beginning stages of the second half increased the TCNJ lead to two possessions, with a pull-up jumper from Goss a few minutes later cutting the game to three points, 48-45. Trailing by five with 12:52 remaining, KUNGA TSERING sliced to the basket for a layup off a feed from Nicholson, with a three from RYAN CASSELS leveling the score at 52 a few possessions later. A bucket from Nicholson pushed Montclair back in front, as the two sides battled within one possession until the under-eight mark of the stanza.
• Goss found Nicholson for a long distance shot, and a free throw from Morales nudged the lead to six with seven minutes on the clock. Morales hit a pair of shots two minutes later to increase the home lead to eight at 66-58. TCNJ mounted one final push, using a 9-2 scoring run to ascend to within one with just over two minutes remaining. Morales notched another key bucket with 1:32 left, and Nicholson converted a pair of free throws to make the distance between the two sides five points. The Red Hawks converted all four of their free throw attempts in the final moments of the contest to seal the victory, their eighth-straight in league play.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Montclair has won 15 consecutive games, setting a new program record, surpassing the mark set in both the 1948-49 and 1969-70 seasons. Their 15-0 start to the campaign is also a new program-best, passing the 1969-70 team that started the season with 14 wins in a row.
• The Red Hawks are one of four unbeaten teams remaining in Division III, with their 15 wins ranking second in the nation. Among all three levels, Montclair is one of 12 remaining undefeated teams across the country.
• Nicholson led the way offensively for the Red Hawks with 17 points along with a career-high seven rebounds. It marked his eighth double-digit performance of his freshman campaign.
• Goss continued his strong sophomore season with 15 points, adding a team-best five assists to help orchestrate the offense. He has surpassed double figures in six of his last seven games.
• Robertson notched his third-straight double-digit game off the bench with 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field. Morales added a crucial 11 points along with a team-high eight boards.
• Tsering was the final Red Hawk in double figures, totaling 10. He has five performances with 10 or more points coming off the bench this season for Montclair.
• For the game, Montclair shot 46 percent from the field, forcing 25 turnovers on the defensive side of the ball, the third-most in a game this season.

FROM THE COURT

"Great college basketball game, I thought both teams played well and made plays all game. Credit to our guys for staying connected and competing at a high level and finding a way. Appreciate all the support in Panzer." - Head Coach Justin Potts

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will begin a stretch with four of their next five games on the road, starting with a trip to Kean on Saturday, January 17. Tip-off from Union, NJ is scheduled for 1:00 PM.