Montclair, NJ – The Utica College men's basketball team faced Montclair State University, on the road, on Saturday. The Pioneers dropped to 3-4 on the season, losing by a score of 62-52.
 
Early on in the first, Joe Stortini (Rhinebeck, NY/RIT) and Jake Kulakowski (Brewerton, NY/Central Square) hit consecutive 3-point shots, seizing a 10-6 lead just four minutes in. The Red Hawks took control of the game thanks to an 18-1 run over the span of 4:12, taking a 30-19 lead with two minutes before halftime. UC entered the locker room trailing by 12 points at the half.
 
Montclair State continued its strong play into the beginning of the second half, going on a 9-0 in the first five minutes to stretch its lead to 41-20. Utica trailed by as many as 25 points during the second half before making its run at a comeback. Miles McNeill (Rochester, NY/Aquinas) sparked a 14-4 run for the Pioneers, cutting Montclair's lead to 58-44 with 4:03 left in regulation. However, there was not enough time for UC to mount a full comeback, as the Red Hawks held on for the 10-point victory.
 
Ivan Iton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) finished with team-high marks of 11 points and 15 rebounds, earning his second double-double of the year. Freshmen Kobe Lufkin (Argyle, NY/Argyle) and Shawn Gashi (Central Square, NY/Bishop Grimes) both scored eight points, coming off the bench. Miles McNeill (Rochester, NY/Aquinas) contributed seven points off the bench, scoring all of his baskets in the span of just 2:09.
 
Montclair was led by Jordan Roberson's 15 points and nine rebounds, shooting 6-for-7 from the field. Jarrett Bogus finished with 12 points and six boards, while teammate Myles Mitchell-White added 11 points. The Red Hawks improved to 7-3 so far this season with the win.
 
The Pioneers will be back in action on December 29th, as they host Anna Maria College in the first round of the Utica College Basketball Classic. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 4 p.m.