Rutgers-Newark holds off Montclair State, 66-63, in gritty contest

College, Montclair State University, Other Sports

February 10, 2022

Rutgers-Newark (15-7) took on the Montclair State Red Hawks (12-8) Wednesday night at the Panzer Athletic Center. Coming into the matchup, Montclair State was on a two-game win streak and defeated Rutgers-Newark one month ago in Newark, 62-59. The matchup was important for both teams as they neighbor each other in the NJAC standings at third and fourth place.

In what has turned into one of the toughest rivalries in the NJAC, Rutgers-Newark defeated Montclair State, 66-63.

This game was a defensive slugfest in the first half. Rutgers-Newark imposed their physical will on the Red Hawks, holding them to only 29% from the field and 21 points going into the half. Rutgers-Newark also did a solid job taking away the three-ball for Montclair, their favorite way to score. The Red Hawks shot only 3-of-13 from three-point land in the first half and just 9-29 for the entire game.

The first five minutes of the second half was an extension of the first half. Montclair State only compiled 25 points in 27 minutes of play, while Rutgers-Newark finished down their easy points, increasing their slim margin to a seven-point lead. After a timeout from Montclair State, senior forward Steve Breeman flipped a switch for the Red Hawks, connecting on back-to-back three-pointers, followed by two free throws to erase the entire deficit and tie the game at 35.

At around the ten-minute mark in the game, Rutgers-Newark was able to go on a quick 9-2 run generated by senior guard Quincy Rutherford's four-point play. Breeman and freshman guard Mike Jackson helped trim the lead down to four for the Red Hawks, but that's as close as it was going to get for them for the rest of the night.

Senior guard Abe Kromah hit key shots for Rutgers-Newark to close out the game as Montclair State attempted to turn up the heat using a full-court press late. Kromah was able to dribble out of it and find open men in the paint for easy lay-ins. As the game was in its final seconds, Montclair had one last shot as they played for the quick score and foul game to try and dig out the hole.

Down five, junior guard Greg Ecks hit a three with six seconds left to cut the lead down to two. Rutgers-Newark responded with two free throws, and on the final possession, junior guard Kiernan Flanagan was fouled as he chucked up a half-court heave and got awarded three free throws. Flanagan missed two of three but had he made the first two and intentionally missed the third to try and convert a quick second chance opportunity, and the game could have gone into overtime.

During the postgame shake, some words were exchanged between Montclair State's Amari Mills and Rutgers-Newark's Chimdi Eboh, thus resulting in a scuffle and both teams having to be separated.

What's Next For Both Teams

The Red Hawks dropped to 9-7 in the NJAC standings as they get ready for Senior Night on Saturday afternoon in Montclair. Rutgers-Newark will improve to a strong 12-4 in conference play as they prepare to host the number one ranked Stockton on Saturday evening.