Union, NJ – Senior forward Jordan Roberson posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds as Montclair State won its second straight defeating Kean University 79-59 at Harwood Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Guards Akbar Hoffman and Myles Mitchell-White each had 14 points as the Red Hawks upped their record to 7-1 on the year, 3-0 in the NJAC. Jalen Parham added 10 points as Montclair put four players in double figures. Jared Latane posted a game-high 17 points for Kean (1-6, 0-3 NJAC).
An exchange of early leads swung into Montclair's favor at 8-5 on a Hoffman three-pointer with 16:11 left in the first half. Kean cut that back to 8-7 on its next possession however the Red Hawks scored the 10 of the next 12 points to take control. Mitchell-White had five of those points including a three-pointer with 11:06 to go making the score 18-9.
The lead would get as high as 13 points before Kean trimmed that back to 30-26 on a layup by Jailen Jamison with just over four minutes to play. Hoffman would score four straight and a free throw by Justin Porter got the lead to 38-28 with 1:41 remaining. Following a Cougar three, Porter finished off a fastbreak before the buzzer giving MSU a 40-31 advantage at halftime.
Joseph Radi opened the second with a three-pointer and a layup by Roberson with 14:09 left put Montclair State in front 51-36. Hoffman's layup near the midpoint widened the lead to 57-38 and a three by Porter with 7:03 to go gave MSU its largest lead at 68-45.
Radi finished with eight points off the bench for Montclair, which was a plus-12 in the rebounding department, 45-33. MSU had 26 fast-break points and turned 18 Kean turnovers into 23 points.
The Red Hawks return to action on Wednesday, December 5 as Montclair hosts No. 24 New Jersey City University at the Panzer Athletic Center. Tipoff of the NJAC contest is scheduled for 8:00 pm.