Montgomery Erupts Second Half, Pulls Away from Marlboro Behind Ethan Lin’s 30

photo & coverage by: AJ Morales

The returning sectional champions walked into Marlboro as the lower seed and were immediately met with energy. The Mustangs opened the game with 15 first-quarter points, attacking early and forcing the Cougars into uncomfortable spots. Ajay Mathews set the tone, pushing pace and making plays in space, while Nolan Gong capitalized on Montgomery’s slow defensive rotations.

Marlboro’s defense was just as impactful. They sped Montgomery up, disrupted passing lanes and made the Cougars initiate offense further from the basket than they wanted. Montgomery managed just eight points in the opening quarter and never fully found rhythm in the half court. Even when they began to settle in during the second quarter, the flow still leaned Marlboro’s way.

Montgomery scored 15 in the second, but the Mustangs continued to dictate tempo and physicality. At halftime, the Cougars trailed 27–23, and it was clear adjustments were needed.

Ethan Lin began to assert himself in the third quarter, knocking down timely perimeter shots to chip away at the deficit. As the defense tightened and transition opportunities slowed for Marlboro, Montgomery started playing its brand of basketball. Lin then went inside for a tough post score that gave the Cougars a three-point lead early in the half.

The game turned into a trading session from there. Every Marlboro bucket was answered. Every run was met with poise. In the final minute of the third, Mike Simborski buried a corner three to give Montgomery momentum heading into the fourth.

Then came the separation.

Montgomery erupted for 23 fourth-quarter points, pulling away with composure and execution. Lin scored nine in the final frame, finishing with 30 on the night, while Shriyans Mallavarapu became a force in the paint. His activity inside led to key baskets and blocks that shut down Marlboro’s attempts to claw back.

After the game, Lin reflected on the shift from the opening half to the closing stretch.

“We had to stay to our game, run our offense, play our brand of basketball,” Lin said. “We stuck with the scouting report and knew the game plan we had to take.”

As for what fueled his second-half takeover, the answer was personal.

“This could’ve been my last game ever,” Lin said. “I just thought of that. I really wanted to go to battle for my guys, for my coaches. They all mean a lot to me.”

That urgency showed. What began as a Mustang-controlled night ended with Montgomery dictating pace, spacing and physicality. The Cougars didn’t abandon their identity — they leaned into it.

With the win, Montgomery keeps its postseason push alive. Having been to Rutgers before doesn’t change the mindset.

“Of course we want to go back to Rutgers,” Lin said. “But we’re taking it day by day and just having fun. These are my last few practices, my last few games, and I’m just here enjoying it.”

Slow start or not, the message was clear by the final buzzer. The Cougars are still very much in control of their path.