Montclair, NJ (Noveber 16, 2024) - The DeSales University men's basketball team suffered its first loss of the season after Montclair State University finished the game on a 16-0 run to earn an 89-79 win in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon.

The Basics

• Final Score: Montclair State - 89, DeSales - 79
• Records: DeSales (2-1 Overall); Montclair State (3-0 Overall)
• This is the first win for Red Hawks in five career meetings as the Bulldogs now own a 4-1 record in the all-time series.

How it Happened

• Trailing 7-2 early the Bulldogs used a 15-5 run to claim a 17-12 lead led by eight points from senior Caleb Gibbs.
• DSU pushed its lead to as many as 11 points with 3:39 left in the first-half before MSU finished the opening 20 minutes on a 15-2 run to take a 38-26 lead into the halftime locker room.
• DeSales opened the second-half out-scoring Montclair State 11-4 to take a 47-42 lead at the 17:08 mark.
• The Bulldogs continued to lead the rest of the half and still held a six-point advantage (79-73) aftet two free throws from senior Devin Atkinson with five on the clock.
• The Red Hawks caught fire from that point forward, finishing the game on a 16-0 run to steal a win on their home court as DeSales just couldn't get a shot to drop over the final five minutes of play.

Top Bulldog Performers

• Gibbs was once again outstanding in the loss totaling his second straight double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds, adding two blocked shots.
• First-year Jayden Thomas recorded his first-ever double-double with 19 points and 10 boards.
• Senior Matt Ciszkowski also reached double figures with 11 points.

For the Foes

• Mike Jackson led the Red Hawks with 28 points.
• Kieran Flanagan also had double digits with 14 points.

Inside the Box Score

• DeSales shot well from the field converting 50.9 percent from the field and was an efficient 17-for-19 (89.5 percent) from the free throw line.
• DSU out-rebounded MSU, 40-28, and had a 17-8 advantage in second chance points.
• Montclair State forced 21 Bulldog turnovers leading to 27 points and the MSU bench out-scored the DSU bench, 32-13.

Up Next

• DSU is right back to action on Wednesday evening when they travel down to Rosemont College for a non-conference game set to begin at 6:00 pm.