Montclair, NJ – Holding just a one-point lead at halftime, the Montclair State University Men's Basketball team (22-6) erupted in the second half, surging past Utica (21-8) with a dominant 79-57 victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• KABRIEN GOSS opened the scoring with a three-pointer, but Utica responded with a 9-0 run in the first four minutes. Deep shots from KIERAN FLANAGAN and JACOB MORALES tied the game at nine, setting the stage for a tightly contested first half.
• Utica maintained a slight edge for much of the opening period, with the game tied five times between the 15:25 and 4:16 marks. The Red Hawks never held the lead until late in the half when back-to-back threes from MIKE JACKSON and Morales gave them a 28-26 advantage.
• The Pioneers quickly reclaimed the lead with four straight points, but an and-one play from AHMAD ROBERTSON and a layup from Morales put Montclair back in front. Utica added a final layup before halftime, sending the game into the break with Montclair holding a slim 33-32 lead.
• The Pioneers struck first in the second half with a layup, but Montclair responded with a game-changing 14-0 run to seize a 47-34 advantage. Utica briefly cut the deficit to six with an 8-2 run, but the Red Hawks countered with an identical 8-2 stretch to extend their lead to 59-48.
• A three-point play from Utica attempted to shift momentum, but Montclair quickly shut it down with a thunderous dunk from KUNGA TSERING and a deep three from Jackson. As the teams battled, the Red Hawks held firm with a 66-55 lead before closing out their first NCAA Tournament win since 2003 with a commanding 12-2 run.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Jackson led the offense with 20 points while adding five rebounds (three offensive), two steals, an assist, and a block.
• Morales contributed 19 points and came close to a double-double with nine rebounds.
• Flanagan recorded his second double-double of the season, finishing with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists.
• Montclair has been on fire since their January 8 home loss to New Jersey City, winning 14 of their last 15 games and remaining unbeaten at the Panzer Athletic Center since.
• The Red Hawks also made history, securing their first-ever home NCAA Tournament win in their debut year as tournament hosts. This marks their first NCAA Tournament victory since 2003, when they defeated Catholic 95-78.

FROM THE COURT

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UP NEXT

• Montclair State University advances to the second round, where they will host Western New England tomorrow at 5:45 p.m.