New Jersey City University Athletics

Box Score BOX SCORE

MONTCLAIR, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Trailing by one with 8:05 to play, New Jersey City University could not yield another field goal until the final seconds and dropped its third consecutive game, falling to New Jersey Athletic Conference rival Montclair State University, 58-48, in a men's basketball game on December 12 at the Panzer Athletic Center.

NJCU (2-7, 0-6 NJAC) shot 29.0 percent from the field (18-62) and 1-of-18 from three-point range (.056) in a loss that can be attributed to poor shooting. Montclair (3-5, 1-4 NJAC) wins its first NJAC game of the season. NJCU is 0-6 in league play for the first time in program history.
 
Down 42-41 with 8:05 to play, the Knights missed their next 10 shots until a late basket in the final five seconds. Montclair, which shot only 37.0 percent for the night itself (17-46) and 25.0 percent from three-point distance (3-12), made 17-of-23 (.739) from the free throw line in the second half and made seven foul shots to begin pulling away before pushing the lead to 10, 55-45, with 2:58 to play. That 10-point margin was the final differential.
 
In defeat for NJCU, two-time NJAC Rookie of the Week KHALID MUHAMMAD (Orange, NJ/Orange) led the club in scoring for the sixth time this year, managing his sixth double digit effort with 10 points (4-11 FG). Freshman forward MATT BREWER (Jersey City, NJ/University Academy) finished with nine points (3-7 FG) and six rebounds while senior center DAVID JONES (Millville, NJ/Cumberland Regional) had eight rebounds (six defensive), six points and three blocked shots.
 
Montclair was led by senior guard Ken Rubenstein (South Orange, NJ/Columbia) with a game-high 18 points (4-6 FG; 2-3 3FG), highlighted by 8-of-10 foul shooting. He scored 10 in the second half.
 
Sophomore guard James D'Angelo (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) provided eight assists (seven turnovers), six points, five rebounds and four steals while freshman forward Kevin McGorry (Rutherford, NJ/Rutherford) chipped in eight points (4-9 FG) and seven rebounds.
 
Sophomore guard John Yates (Bear, DE/Pencader Charter) collected nine points and junior forward Ordel Goldson (Hackettstown, NJ/Warren Hills) finished with seven defensive rebounds and four blocks.
 
NJCU shot below 30 percent in back-to-back games and the third time this season and failed to reach 50 points in any of those games. The Knights lost despite its defense holding an opponent under 70 points for the eighth time in nine games.
 
MSU led 25-23 at the intermission and never surrendered it in the second period, twice moving in front by eight points in the beginning stages of the half, including 35-27, on a pair of foul shots by Rubenstein. NJCU made several runs and kept the game within a one to two possession game. The Knights were down 35-34 with 12:32 to play and tied it at 37-37 with 10:51 to go on a pair of free throws by Brewer. But NJCU only converted three field goals after the 13:28 mark of the second half, leading to the final dry spell that allowed Montclair to prevail.
 
In the first half NJCU led early, 9-2. A 13-1 run by MSU, capped by a Rubenstein three, made it 15-10, Red Hawks. NJCU managed to tie it at 15-15 and 17-17 before Montclair reclaimed a 25-19 edge and led by two at the break.
 
NJCU closes the fall semester schedule on Saturday, December 15 at 4 p.m. when it hosts Susquehanna University (3-6) at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.