Game box

West Bronx, NY … The College of New Jersey men's basketball team got their money's worth in their season-opener as they downed Lehman College 83-76 in double-overtime.

The Lions' (1-0) upper classmen exhibited leadership when it counted most as they overcame deficits late in regulation and overtime before pulling away for good in the second extra period.

In regulation, senior Jay Frank (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) drained a jumper with 1:18 remaining the game to tie the score at 59-59 and send the contest into overtime. Frank finished the game with a team-high 20 points and seven rebounds.

With 15 seconds remaining in that first overtime, TCNJ trailed 68-66 with 15 seconds remaining and senior Aaron Syversten (Midland Park, NJ/Midland Park). The 6' 3” forward sank both free throws to send the game into its second overtime period.

Junior Steve Siracusa (New Providence, NJ/New Providence) put the Lions ahead with a bucket to start double-overtime and they never trailed again. After Lehman (0-1) hit a free throw to cut the lead to 70-69, the Lions rattled off six straight points with another basket from Siracusa, Frank, and senior William Jett (Brown Mills, NJ/Pemberton).

Senior Steve Feinberg (Middletown, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) iced the game with a pair of throws with 30 seconds left to give the Lions their first victory of the season. Feinberg had a well-rounded game finishing with 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Syversten had 14 points and 10 rebounds while Siracusa finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.

TCNJ returns to action this Wednesday, November 18 when they host Berkeley College at 8 p.m. at Packer Hall.