Montclair, NJ – Sophomore STEVE BREEMAN notched his first career double-double to lead the Montclair State men's basketball team to an 89-84 over Rowan University in New Jersey Athletic Conference action Saturday.

The Red Hawks (8-6, 6-1 NJAC) snapped a three-game losing streak to the Profs (6-8, 2-5 NJAC). Montclair last picked up a win over Rowan back on February 17, 2018, when they earned a 77-73 victory.

Neither side was able to grasp a stronghold on the game in the opening minutes, but a three-pointer by senior EDDIE EMEDOH gave the hosts a slim 18-14 advantage nearly eight minutes into the affair. Rowan answered with a 10-2 rally over the next four minutes to regain a slight lead at 24-20. Led by five points from AKBAR HOFFMAN, the Red Hawks embarked on an 8-0 spurt of their own to grab their biggest lead of the period at seven.

As time ticked away in the first half, a Profs dunk was sandwiched between triples from Emedoh and classmate NATE NAHIRNY to send Montclair State into the half with a 42-36 advantage. Rowan trailed despite shooting 51.9% from the field in the frame. Emedoh recorded a pair of steals, as Montclair forced 11 Profs turnovers in the half.

Hoffman canned a trey 1:32 into the second stanza to stretch the Red Hawk lead to nine. After the Profs trimmed the deficit to one, Emedoh hit from deep reestablish the four-point edge. Rowan drew even at 59, but Hoffman snapped the tie with a three on the ensuing possession to switch the lead back.

The back-and-forth second period continued, and a pair of baskets by Jerry Price capped off an 8-0 spurt to give Rowan a 75-71 lead with 5:39 to go. Montclair responded with points on the next three trips down the floor, forcing a missed three while recording two turnovers to notch a 78-75 edge. Two Matt Green free-throws evened the game at 80 with 44 ticks left, but Breeman was able to hit a pull-up jumper in the paint to give MSU the lead they would not surrender. Senior Justin hit two key free-throws before Breeman knocked down four to establish the final margin.

Breeman recorded 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Hoffman recorded a game-high 19 points. Emedoh came off the bench for the first time this season, registering 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including three triples. Rookie Keyon Price added a team-best six assists while contributing three rebounds. Green led the Profs with 18 points, as Diante Bah recorded a double-double of 12 points and 12 boards.

The Red Hawks are back home for their next contest on Wednesday, January 15, when they host the Scarlet Raptors of Rutgers-Camden. Tipoff of the backend of the NJAC doubleheader is scheduled for 8:00 pm.