Box Score

Ewing, NJ –New Jersey City University held off a number of second-half rallies by The College of New Jersey men's basketball team and came away with a 72-63 win over the Lions on Saturday at Packer Hall.

The loss brought an end to TCNJ's run of four straight wins on its home floor to start the season. The Lions are now 5-7 overall and 1-2 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, while the Gothic Knights squared their conference mark at 2-2 and improved to 4-6 overall.

NJCU held a slim 28-25 lead at the half and started the new frame going on a 15-3 run pushing the margin to 43-28.

The Lions stormed back in less than a minute as junior Aaron Syvertsen (Midland Park, NJ/Midland Park) knocked down three straight shots from behind the 3-point arc bringing the Lions back to within 43-37. TCNJ's run continued as Jay Frank (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) sank a bucket from in the lane and Adam Gonzalez (Rochelle Park, NJ/Hackensack) and Syvertsen each scored once from the line making it a 43-41 contest.

The Gothic Knights extended the difference back to eight, but again TCNJ roared back making it a two-point game. This time, Steve Feinberg (Middletown, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) hit from the floor making it a 53-51 NJCU lead with less than five minutes remaining.

NJCU was able to build its advantage back to nine points with the Lions making one final push. TCNJ used a 7-0 to close within 60-58, but the Gothic Knights made eight free throws minute to secure the win.

Syvertsen led the Lions with 18 points with Frank and Feinberg each finishing with eight.

NJCU's Josh Lopez (Jersey City, NJ/St. Mary's) led all scorers with a career-high 24 points, including a 9-for-10 performance from the foul line.

TCNJ returns to action on Wednesday, January 14 at Rowan University, while the Gothic Knights return home on Monday, January 12 to host New York City College of Technology in an 8 p.m. contest.