Montclair, NJ – Stockton University (16-8, 13-4 NJAC) withstood a furious second half rally, and came away with a tough 89-87 overtime victory over Montclair State (10-14, 8-9 NJAC) on Saturday afternoon. Kyion Flanders (Wildwood/Wildwood) led the Ospreys with a career-high 27 points on the day.
 
Stockton remains tied with The College of New Jersey for the NJAC lead and clinched at least a first-round bye in the upcoming NJAC Tournament.
 
The Red Hawks scored the first basket of the day to start the contest, but the Ospreys answered with seven straight points for a quick 7-2 advantage. MSU regained the lead at 18-17 at the 10:35 mark, before Stockton answered with another seven markers. Flanders tallied five and Steve Ferebee (Galloway/Absegami) posted another bucket in the spurt.
 
The home team closed to 31-24 with 5:36 left until the half, but Stockton finished off the first 20 minutes, tallying the final six points for a 39-29 margin at the break. Flanders scored 12 of his points, with freshman DJ Campbell (Vineland/Vineland) adding six markers and seven boards. The Ospreys held the Red Hawks to just 5-21 (23.8%) shooting from behind the arc in the first stanza.
 
The second frame was a different story as Montclair came out on fire from behind the arc. The hit six of their 11 three pointers in the first six and a half minutes to close to 50-47 at 13:36. The Red Hawks didn't stop there banging in their 10th bomb of the half for a 71-65 lead with 7:18 remaining in regulation.
 
The Ospreys fought back to grab a 73-72 advantage with 5:40 remaining. Jordan Taylor (East Orange/Cicely Tyson) hit a free throw then Kadian Dawkins (Eastampton/Rancocas Valley) added a basket to stretch the lead to 76-72. Stockton looked to have the game put away when Dawkins followed his own miss for a layup with 37 ticks on the clock for a 79-74 margin.
 
Campbell made two foul shots for an 81-76 lead with 19 seconds left, but Montclair State was fouled twice in the final seconds. The Red Hawks made all five shots from the charity stripe to send the game to the extra frame.
 
In the overtime period, Montclair tallied the first three points, before Campbell hit a basket at 83-82. Fellow freshman Rynell Lawrence (Millville/Millville) hit a three, then banged in another hoop to make it 88-84 with 49 seconds left.
 
Joseph Radi scored the 11th three pointer for Montclair State to slice the lead to 88-87. Campbell made one of two foul shots for the two-point margin at 89-87 with 29 seconds left, setting up the final dramatic moments. The Red Hawks held the ball for one last attempt at the win, but a three-point shot was off the mark at the buzzer and Stockton survived the game at 89-87.
 
Flanders shot 8-15 from the field and 8-10 from the free throw line in his career-high game. Campbell posted his second double-double of the season with 15 points, tied his career-high with 10 rebounds and added three assists with two steals.
 
Dawkins chipped in with 10 points, while Lawrence scored seven points, grabbed a career-high six boards and tied Campbell with three helpers.
 
Montclair State had four players in double figures, led by Eddie Emedoh with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Radi added 15 markers on five three pointers, with teammates Justin Porter and Nate Nahirny adding 13 and 12 points respectively.
 
Stockton will finish up the regular season on Wednesday night at home against Rutgers-Newark. The game will be Senior Night and will tip-off at 8pm.