Box Score In another game that came down to the waning moments, the College of Staten men's basketball team rallied from an early deficit to hold on to a 77-73 win over Montclair State University as part of non-conference play in Montclair, NJ.  CSI lifted its record to 4-2 with its third straight win, while the Red Hawks fell to 2-5.

With the exception of its last contest against Brooklyn College, CSI has been used to games coming down to the wire, a run this season that included a 61-55 win over Montclair State in the second game of the season for both teams at the Mary Washington Tip-Off Tournament.  Game two in the season series was no different, as both teams jockeyed until the final whistle.  

MSU had the better of things in the first stanza, and with the exception of three ties, the home squad held the lead the entire way.  An early lay-in by Erik Loften-Harris gave MSU an 8-3 lead four minutes into the game giving MSU the modest early lead.  Later, a Kevin McGorry gave the Hawks a 31-25 edge at 5:18.  CSI creeped closer from there thanks to a Dylan Bulger lay-up and two Frankie Schettino freebies, but then MSU closed the half on a 16-9 run over the last four minutes to take its biggest lead into the locker room, 47-38.  Ordel Goldson and McGorry both highlighted the run with a pair of baskets.

The 47 first half points allowed by the Dolphins was a season high, thanks largely to MSU's torrid 51.5% shooting.  If the Dolphins needed a chance to come back, that would have to change.  Thankfully, the Dolphins would answer the call, playing an aggressive on-the-ball defense that would hold the Hawks to just a hair over 25% shooting in the second frame.  

After trading early baskets, a 7-1 run by the Dolphins cut MSU's lead to a single possession, and at 13:15, Javon Cox would knot the game up at 53-53.  CSI wasn't done there, going on an 8-0 run later in the frame to take a 61-57 lead at 8:43.  From that point the game would go back-and-forth until at 6:07, a Will Fonseca basket gave CSI the lead for good.

With inside of three minutes left, Bulger gave CSI a four point lead, 71-67, but MSU responded with a McGorry free-throw and a made basket to cut CSI's lead to one with 1:41 left.  MSU opted to put CSI on the free-throw line from there and the visitors proved capable, as Kevin King and Bulger combined to go a perfect 6-6 at the stripe inside the final minute to give CSI the insurance it needed to ice the game.

CSI was led by Bulger's season-high 24 points to go with 15 rebounds.  Fonseca added 17 points in victory, while Schettino finalized with 13 markers.  MSU saw 24 points from McGorry and 23 from Daniel Singleton.  The Dolphins shot a season-best 70% from the free-throw line, connecting on 21 of 30 attempts.

CSI will next play on the home floor for the first time this season.  They match up with Ramapo College on Thursday evening at 7:30pm at the Sports & Recreation Center.