NJSIAA Tournament Semifinal: Montgomery Advances Past Marlboro, 61–49

Nicholas Mistretta

MHS ’79 Cougar Sports Correspondent

Marlboro, N.J. — The postseason run continues for the Montgomery Cougars boys basketball, who delivered a composed second-half performance to defeat Marlboro 61–49 in the NJSIAA sectional semifinal Tuesday evening.

With the win, Montgomery improves to 24–4 and advances to the sectional championship, where the Cougars will face the Hillsborough Raiders boys basketball on Friday night at 5:30 p.m. in Hillsborough.

Slow Start, Strong Finish
Marlboro (21–6) came out with early momentum, building a 15–8 lead after the first quarter behind balanced scoring and efficient perimeter play.

Montgomery settled in during the second quarter, tightening its defense while finding rhythm offensively. The Cougars trimmed the deficit and entered halftime trailing just 27–23, setting the stage for a decisive second half.

The third quarter marked the turning point. Montgomery outscored Marlboro 15–12 to pull even closer, forcing the Mustangs into tougher looks while gradually seizing control of the tempo.

Lin Leads the Charge
Senior guard Ethan Lin once again delivered a standout performance, pouring in a game-high 30 points. Lin showcased his full offensive arsenal, knocking down three three-pointers and converting 13 free throws while consistently attacking the lane and finishing through contact.

Shriyans Mallavarapu added 10 points, while James Kamara contributed 12, providing steady scoring that helped Montgomery maintain momentum as the game tightened.

Connor Benedict chipped in six points with two timely three-pointers, and Mike Simborski added a long-range basket that helped stretch the floor.

Fourth-Quarter Surge
Montgomery’s depth and composure were on full display in the fourth quarter. The Cougars erupted for 23 points while holding Marlboro to just 10, turning a tight contest into a decisive victory.

The Cougars finished strong at the free-throw line, converting 17 attempts and closing the door on any late Marlboro rally.

For the Mustangs, Dylan McEwan led the way with 17 points, while Ajay Mathews added 13 and Nolan Gong chipped in 10.

One Step from a Title
With the semifinal victory, Montgomery moves one win away from a sectional championship. The Cougars will travel to Hillsborough on Friday night to face the Raiders in what promises to be a highly anticipated title matchup.

For those who plan to attend, tickets need to be purchased in advance.

Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com