NEWARK, N.J. (December 3, 2016) – Freshman Landon Gaines and junior Tyler Ofray each scored 14 points to help lead the Rutgers University-Newark men's basketball team to a gritty New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) win over visiting Montclair State University Saturday night in The Golden Dome.
 
Rutgers-Newark improves to 2-1 in the conference and 2-5 overall, while MSU drops to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the league.
 
All 14 of Gaines' points came in the second half, and none were bigger than a three-pointer from the wing that gave his team a 55-51 lead with 1:21 left in the game. The rookie finished his night shooting 4-of-6 from the field, 3-for-5 from deep and 3-for-4 at the line, adding three rebounds, one block and one steal to his line.
 
Rutgers-Newark shot 41.9 percent from the floor, 37.5 percent from deep and 69 percent at the line (20-for-29), and the hosts held Montclair State to 36.4 percent from the field and 13.6 percent from deep.
 
After Gaines' three-pointer, two free throws from sophomore Mark Thomas gave the Scarlet Raiders a six-point lead, and the Red Hawks could get no closer than four the rest of the way.
 
After a 24-24 first half, a Gaines three-pointer with 9:01 left made the score 41-40 in favor of the Scarlet Raiders, and a little less than three minutes later the freshman forward canned another triple to give his team a 48-44 edge.
 
Two Ofray foul shots would help Rutgers-Newark open a six-point edge, but Montclair State stormed back to take the lead (51-50), setting the stage for two Ofray free throws and Gaines' biggest three-pointer of the night.
 
In addition to his 14 points, Ofray added three rebounds and two assists, and sophomore Mark Thomas had 13 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Big-man Kenya Brown had nine points, seven boards, two blocks and a steal, and senior Nadir Alston had five points, four rebounds, two blocks and a theft. Freshman Chase Barneys had six points for the Raiders, and freshman Mike Vick tallied a team-high four assists.
 
Montclair State was led by 15 points and seven rebounds from senior Brandon Channer, and 11 points and five rebounds from both junior Vince Anfield and junior Jarrett Bogus.
 
A close game throughout, there were 19 ties and 14 lead changes, with neither team leading by more than nine points. Rutgers-Newark shot an excellent 61.1 percent in the second half (11-for-18), connecting on 3-of-6 from deep in the period as well..
 
MSU ended with a 39-29 margin on the glass, but the tough Scarlet Raider defense held up in getting the win.
 
"I thought we made some big shots tonight which obviously makes a big difference," said Head Coach Joe Loughran. "We competed hard – especially on defense – and hopefully that continues next week."
 
Up next for the Scarlet Raiders is a non-conference home game against Misericordia Monday night in The Golden Dome. Fans unable to make the trip to Newark can tune in live at www.rutgersnewarkathletics.com.
 
Stat of the Night: Rutgers-Newark committed a season-low 13 turnovers in the conference victory, something that will be a key for the Scarlet Raiders should they look to continue playing well in the NJAC.