Red Hawks (in white) get ready for the season tip off.
Photo by Josue Dajes.
The intensity was high and fans were buzzing with just a minute into in the first overtime, but they had no idea they were just about to witness one of the best plays of the game.
Red Hawks freshman forward Justin Porter stole the ball at mid court and launched the fast break. He saw Isaiah Channer breaking to the basket. There were fans standing up and cocking their arms back as if they were Isaiah Channer on the court, and he delivered. Isaiah Channer flew up and put the hammer down on the fast break as the crowd went berserk.
The Montclair State men’s basketball team ultimately lost 98-99 but, earlier in the game, it was unclear whather the Red Hawks still had a chance. With 7:32 left in the second half, the Brooklyn College Bulldogs took a 10 point lead. Then, Brandon Channer scored 12 points since that mark.
With a 1:07 left in the second half, Brandon Channer got the ball at the top of the key and drained a three to give the Red Hawks a one point lead. The Bulldogs were able to tie it at the line a few seconds later. Brandon Channer had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation, but his shot went off the back rim and didn’t go in.
At the end of the first overtime, Bulldogs guard Chris Mcillhatton missed a potential game-winning layup.
The Red Hawks defense holds at the end of overtime and we will have DOUBLE OT from the Panzer Athletic Center!!!! @msuredhawks pic.twitter.com/TvPPSlEtKA
— WMSC Sports (@WMSCSports) November 19, 2016
The Red Hawks had a three-point lead late in the second overtime, but two straight baskets by Bulldogs guard Niv Konfino gave Brooklyn a 97-96 lead. After two more buckets by the Bulldogs, the Red Hawks found themselves down by three with 29 seconds left. Red Hawks guard Jovanni Chatham put up a three to tie the game, but it was no good. Luckily for the Red Hawks, Brandon Channer came flying in for the put-back layup, putting the Red Hawks down 99-98.
In the next Bulldogs’ possession Isaiah Channer stole the ball from Konfino. He gave it to Brandon Channer, who was out on the fastbreak with the seconds ticking down. The crowd went nuts, they were ready for Brandon Channer to win the game for the Red Hawks. Brandon Channer drove left but was blocked by Bulldogs forward Anaselrahman Abdu. The ball went out of bounds, giving the Red Hawks the opportunity to win the game from the inbound with four seconds left. In the most important moment of the game, the Red Hawks made the biggest mistake of the night by turning the ball over on the inbound, and the Bulldogs won the game.
MSU turns it over with 4 seconds left and they’ll drop their season opener at home to Brooklyn College 99-98. pic.twitter.com/DcWvJzZk86
— WMSC Sports (@WMSCSports) November 19, 2016
Brandon Channer ended the game with 36 points and 12 rebounds. Montclair State struggled from the free throw line, shooting less than 50 percent from the stripe.
Montclair State will play City College of New York on Saturday, Nov. 19 in their second game at Ollie Gelston Classic at 1 p.m. in the Panzer Athletic Center.
