Montclair, NJ – Freshman guard Jason Kenny pumped in 31 points, including four three-pointers as Misericordia University grabbed the lead early and held off any Montclair State in an 82-67 win at the Panzer Athletic Center on Saturday afternoon.

Griffin Sponaugle added 18 points for the Cougars (6-5) captured their third straight contest in the first meeting between the schools.

Junior BRANDON CHANNER registered a double-double of 19 points and 30 rebounds for Montclair State, which fell back to the .500 at 4-4 with their fourth straight loss.

Misericordia trailed just twice in the contest with those two instances coming in the first 2:09 of the game. MSU's JALEEL CHRISTMON connected on a high-arching jumper for a 4-2 lead however the Cougars scored the next 10 points to take control.

Sponaugle drilled the first of 12 three-pointer by Misericordia and a jumper from Earl Chang made the score 12-4 with 13:40 to play. A three-by Tyler McGarry pushed the lead into double digits and Tanner Reyan put the Cougars in front 24-11. Channer's three-pointer got MSU within 24-16 however a Sponaugle three, Kenny layup and basket from James Hawk restored the lead to 33-16 with 3:13 to go before halftime.

Trailing 36-23 at the break, Montclair opened the second with a 7-2 run to get within 38-30 on two free throws by JORDAN ROBERSON. A three by JAQUAE WILSON and layup from SHAUN RUSSELL shrunk the deficit to 43-38 with 15:10 left but Sponaugle, Kenny and McGarry each connected from behind the arc on successive trips down the floor as the Cougars went back up 52-38 with 13 minutes remaining.

Montclair State made one last charge as Roberson drove in on a layup for a 55-48 Misericordia lead. Erik Kerns answered with two from the line with Kenny scoring the next seven, including a deep three with 8:14 to go pushing the Cougars to a 64-48 lead with 7:46 to play.

The Red Hawks would only get as close as 11 points the rest of the way.

Hawk finished with seven points, eight rebounds and five blocks for Misericordia, which shot a better percentage from behind the arc as it did in front of it. The Cougars were 12-of-25 from long range (48 percent) compared to just 13 of 33 inside. Misericordia also committed just six turnovers in the game and took advantage of 17 by Montclair turning those into 26 points. Kerns had eight points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Russell added 19 points and four rebounds while Roberson had seven points and seven rebounds for MSU, which just shot 34 percent (21-of-61) from the floor, including 4-for-16 (25 percent) from three-point range.

The Red Hawks are now off until Wednesday, December 30 when they host Farmingdale State at the Panzer Athletic Center beginning at 1:00 pm.