Montclair, N.J. - Stockton University (16-6, 11-4 NJAC) scored 58 points in the second half, but it was not enough to overcome a large halftime deficit in a 91-86 setback at Montclair State (16-6, 11-4 NJAC). The Ospreys entered the game atop the conference standings but slid back into a tie with the Red Hawks, who currently hold the tiebreaker.
 
EJ Matthews-Spratley (Cherry Hill/CH East) poured in a game-high 38 points for his fifth 30-plus outing of the season. The junior's 38 points tied the sixth highest game total in Stockton history. Matthews-Spratley also grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds for his first college double-double.
 
Eriq Campbell (West Atco/Lindenwold) scored 16 points followed by Jahmir Payoute (Irvington/Snyder) and Christian Armstrong-Thomas (Marlton/Cherokee) with 11 points apiece. Payoute and Armstrong-Thomas each went 4-5 (80%) from the field.
 
After shooting just 1-13 (7.7%) from three-point range and trailing 45-27 at the break, Stockton heated up in the second half and with 60.7% (17-28) shooting from the field plus 80% (20-25) at the free throw line. Matthews-Spratley and Campbell led the comeback try with 26 and 12 points respectively in the second stanza.
 
Stockton faced a 59-48 deficit with 13:17 remaining and then reeled off nine straight points, including six by Matthews-Spratley, to make it a two-point game at 59-57. Montclair answered with an 8-1 spurt for a 67-58 count.
 
The Ospreys were down 80-68 with 5:47 on the clock but chipped away at the margin. Two free throws by Payoute followed by a three-pointer from Matthew-Spratley got Stockton within 89-96 with 1:01 left.
 
After a Red Hawks turnover, the Ospreys got off three shots including two three-pointers that would have tied the game, but all three were off the mark. Two late free throws set the final at 91-86.
 
Jacob Morales paced Montclair with 19 points followed by Kieran Flanagan and Mike Jackson with 15 and 14 points respectively.
 
Stockton returns home to host Rutgers-Camden on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.