UNION, N.J. (2/12/21) – Jared Latane tied a career-high with 26 points as Head Coach David Turco recorded his first career victory with a 90-85 second half comeback over previously unbeaten Montclair State University on Friday evening.

Jailen Jamison nearly tallied a triple-double with 25 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and six steals for the Cougars who improve to 1-2 overall and 1-2 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. Amir Williams finished with 17 points and nine rebounds for the Red Hawks who fall to 2-1 overall and 2-1 in the NJAC.

The first half saw a back and forth battle with MSU using an 8-3 run to stretch their lead to 39-29 with under five minutes to play. The Red Hawks maintained their lead into halftime with a 48-42 advantage.

MSU opened the second half with a 6-1 run to take their largest lead of the game at 54-42 with 17:53 remaining. Kean climbed back with a 28-16 run to even the score at 70-70 with 9:23 remaining. JD Daniels and Latane combined for 20 points during the run. Montclair responded with a 7-0 run, before the Cougars answered back with a 7-1 run which was capped off by a Daniels triple and a Latane layup to square up everything at 77 with 4:26 remaining.

Kean never surrendered the lead from that point on as the Cougars ended the game on a 15-8 run that included six points from Jamison who converted on four free throws in the final 90 seconds.

Daniels finished with 22 points and knocked down three triples, while Nate Lyles totaled eight points and three rebounds.

The two teams will square off again tomorrow in Montclair, N.J. at 2:00 p.m.