Box score
Reading, PA ... The College of New Jersey men's basketball team fought hard but fell short falling to Albright College in the Wyndham Reading Albright College Tip-off Tournament championship game 85-74.
After downing their first three opponents on 46 percent shooting from the floor, TCNJ (3-1) was victimized by a hot-shooting Albright squad as the host Lions peppered the nets on 51 percent shooting for their second win in as many contests. TCNJ did not go down easily as kept climbing an uphill battle all night, but the visiting Lions were unable to knock Albright (2-0) from their peak position as they held the advantage from the first basket until the final buzzer.
Seniors Jay Frank (Brick, NJ/Brick) and Aaron Syvertsen (Midland Park, NJ/Midland Park) paced TCNJ with 18 points while junor Steven Siracusa (New Providence, NJ/New Providence) had a productive night with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
In the first half, Albright made an immediate statement as they opened the game with a 16-4 run. The Lions chipped away and with 3:30 remaining, cut the lead to 27-24 on a field goal from Siracusa. But in the closing minutes, TCNJ went cold while Albright got red-hot from beyond the arc. The host hit five consecutive three-pointers featuring four by game-high scorer Zac Schaeffer (20 points) during a 15-2 run as they charged into the intermission with a 42-26 lead.
Whatever TCNJ head coach Kelly Williams preached at halftime, he should consider writing it down. The Lions went on a 17-2 tear and closed the gap to 44-43 less than five minutes into the second period. Syvertsen heated up quickly scoring 11 points during that stretch including three consecutive three-pointers.
Both teams traded baskets over the next five minutes, but holding a 53-52 advantage with 10:31 remaining, Albright scored nine unanswered points to push the lead to double digits.
Senior William Jett (Brown Mills, NJ/Pemberton) rolled in a lay-up with 5:43 remaining to cut the lead to seven points, but the host Lions continued to hit shots making it difficult for TCNJ to gain ground. Albright hit the free throws they needed down the stretch to claim the tournament title in their home building.
Frank also had five assists and six rebounds while senior Steve Feinberg (Middletown, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) contributed 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Frank and Syversten were named to the All-Tournament Team.
TCNJ travels to Allentown, PA to battle Muhlenberg College on Tuesday, November 21 at 7 p.m.
