MONTCLAIR, NJ – Senior guard James Johnson poured in 24 points to lead all scorers as Rutgers-Newark posted a key 73-66 New Jersey Athletic Conference win over Montclair State in the Panzer Athletic Center. 

Rutgers-Newark 73, Montclair State 66 

Johnson knocked down five of nine shots from 3-point range and made nine of 10 free throws as the Scarlet Raiders (16-6, NJAC 6-4) earned a split of their regular-season series against the Red Hawks (10-11, NJAC 3-7).

Johnson had 13 points during the decisive 19-4 run which staked the Raiders to a 66-56 lead with 3:40 remaining. He had a pair of treys while making seven of eight free throws during the spurt. 

A jumper by MSU's Marquesse Smith trimmed the Rutgers-Newark lead to 68-65 with 2:01 left, but a dunk by senior forward Phil Barnes on a feed from senior forward Deshawn Singleton gave the Raiders some breathing room with 1:38 left. 

Senior point guard Tim Smith hit five of seven shots from the floor on his way to 16 points while dishing off a game-high five assists and collecting five rebounds for Rutgers-Newark which posted its third straight conference victory. 

Singleton and Barnes netted eight points apiece, combining to connect on eight of 13 shots to help the Raiders shoot 52.1% from the field. Barnes collared five rebounds and added a block and a steal, while Singleton collected four rebounds, blocked two shots, dished out an assist and made a steal. 

Sophomore reserve forward Ralph Jones pulled down six rebounds and netted four points in just 13 minutes to help the Raider build a 36-20 edge in rebounding. Senior forward Ryan Gillens also posted five rebounds. 

Sean Young had 15 points to lead Montclair State while Rodney Freeney added 14 points. 

Johnson nailed a pair of 3-pointers in the final two minutes of the opening half to send the Raiders to the locker room with a 37-32 lead. He hit on three of four shots from beyond the arc in the opening 20 minutes while sophomore guard Greg Moore dropped in two of three shots from long range to boost Rutgers-Newark into a lead. 

Rutgers-Newark hosts New Jersey City in an NJAC doubleheader on Saturday in The Golden Dome. The women tip off at 6 p.m. with the men to follow at 8 o'clock.