Box Score

NEWARK, NJ (January 27, 2007) – Senior guard Philippe Slater (Newark, NJ/University HS) had 10 of his game-high 21 points during a decisive 28-9 run in the second half as Rutgers-Newark broke open a tight game for a 76-52 New Jersey Athletic Conference men’s basketball victory over The College of New Jersey in The Golden Dome.

After a 26-26 halftime stalemate, junior fforward Mark Aziz (Hackettstown, NJ/West Morris), who paced the Lions with 18 points, nailed a 3-point jumper three minutes into the period to give TCNJ a 32-30 lead. The Scarlet Raiders answered with the overwhelming rally, capped by five straight points by Slater, to make it 58-41 with 8:53 left. The lead grew to as much as 27 points down the stretch.

Slater added four rebounds and two assists to his totals while reserve forward Derryck Alexander (Lakewood, NJ/Lakewood) had a dozen points and six rebounds. Senior guard Quran Wimberley (Newark, NJ/St. Anthony’s) hit three of six 3-point jumpers to finish with 11 points and a game-high six assists. Sophomore center Afolabi Ajumobi (Roselle, NJ/Roselle Catholic) posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds to go along with four blocked shots. Rutgers-Newark (15-4, NJAC 5-2) dominated the glass, 41-27.

Lion head coach John Castaldo was denied his 200th career win as TCNJ saw a three-game winning streak snapped.

TCNJ (11-9, NJAC 4-4) got 13 points and three steals from senior guard Brian Halligan (Delran, NJ/Delran), and 10 points from freshman guard Jay Frank (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial).