MONTCLAIR, N.J.  (Dec. 15) – Junior forward Andrew August  (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater Raritan) scored 24 points to lead Montclair State University to an 82-72 victory over Rutgers University-Newark in a New Jersey Conference contest Wednesday evening at the Panzer Athletic Center.

Montclair State, which improved to 14-4 overall and 4-2 in the NJAC, trailed only once in the game at 4-3 in the game's first two minutes. The Red Hawks then went on a 16-1 run to take a commanding 19-5 advantage with 12:13 remaining in the first half.  Senior guard Rodney Freeney (Piscataway, N.J/Piscataway), who scored 17 points, contributed six points in the run with August adding four.

Rutgers-Newark (14-4, 4-3 NJAC) tried to recover from the early double-digit deficit. Down 28-14, the Scarlet Raiders used a 10-2 string to cut the margin to six points at 30-24 with 4:46 left in the opening period. But that would be the closest Rutgers-Newark would get. Junior guard Pedro Burgos (Fort Lee, N.J./Fort Lee), who scored 17 of game-high 27 points in the first half, led the comeback attempt.

MSU quickly established itself again before going into the intermission ahead, 43-30. The Red Hawks continued their domination in the second half, building their biggest margin at 67-47 with5:59 to play.

Rutgers-Newark rallied one last time, outscoring Montclair State 15-3 to make the score 70-62 with 2:38 to play. Junior guard Greg Moore (Jersey City, N.J./Bayonne) scored eight of his 15 points in the run.

Montclair State, which shot 25-37 from the free throw line, made 15-25 tries in the second half, including 10-15 attempts down the stretch.

Sophomore guard Al'Don Muhammad (Irvington, N.J./Queen of Peace) scored double figures for Rutgers-Newark with 15 points. Sophomore guard A.J. Larkin (Passaic, N.J./St. Mary's) added 12 points and six assists for Montclair State.

Montclair State will travel to play Richard Stockton College while Rutgers-Newark plays host to The College of N.J. in Con in Conference action on Saturday.