Box score

Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey men's basketball team scratched and clawed its way to a 79-69 win over Delaware Valley College.

The spirited victory may just serve as a springboard for head coach Kelly William's squad. It wasn't simply that they won the game, but the manner in which they triumphed. Williams had contributors all over the floor led by an exceptional performance from junior Kyle Rawson (Warren, NJ/Watchung Hills).

Rawson played perhaps his best game in a Lions uniform compiling career-highs with 19 points and six assists. He exploded for 17 of those 19 in the second half and was in the middle of every play during an electric 10 minutes in the final period.

Sophomore Donovan Smalls (Union, NJ/Union) led TCNJ scorers with 20 points, while senior Steve Siracusa (New Providence, NJ/New Providence) notched a double-double with 19 points and 10 boards to go along with five assists.

Delaware Valley (4-4) received tremendous efforts from senior guard James Jones (Philadelphia, PA/Edward Bok Tech) and sophomore forward Jeremy Beckett (Reading, PA/Randolph). Jones was an offensive force netting a game-high 27 points, while Beckett grabbed 18 rebounds and scored 17 points.

The Lions (2-7) held the lead for the majority of the opening half. They jumped out to 14-6 lead capped by a Small's three-pointer at the 14:00 minute mark. Sophomore Brian Kelly (Clark, NJ/Lawrenceville Prep) played with a sense of urgency in the paint, setting an aggressive tone under the boards.

DelVal closed the gap at the midpoint when they went to a half-court press, going on an 8-2 run. Beckett and Jones made things difficult inside and outside to lead a balanced attack and take the lead late in the period.

The Lions clawed their way back when junior guard Al Matlock (Trenton, NJ/Solebury) hit Rawson with a bounce pass off a fast-break as the junior converted to move ahead 32-31 with 1:45 on the clock. But four straight free throws in the final minute gave the Aggies a 35-32 advantage at the half. DelVal was a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe in the opening period.

Kelly tallied eight of his 11 points in the opening 20 minutes and finished with a career-high nine boards.

The second half was back and forth with the Lions trailing through the first eight minutes. Rawson then took over, igniting a frantic run with a mix baskets and assists to put TCNJ in control of the game. Freshman Jason Chalmers (Oakland, NJ/Indian Hills) tied the game at 45 when took a pass from Rawson and banked in the lay-up while being fouled. He would make good on the free throw.

Siracusa then converted on a fast-break and a Chalmers put-back put the Lions up by four. Rawson then drained a three off a feed from Siracusa to increase the lead to at 54-47 with 8:30 to play.

Coach Williams kept constant pressure on his players, stressing defense and they responded with their best effort of the season. DelVal played hard, but never got within striking distance as the Lions notched the second win of the season.

Chalmers notched seven points in the game, which followed up his career-high of nine points against NYU on Wednesday night. The rookie had a positive impact on the floor with his 12 minutes of play off the bench.

The Lions are back in action on Saturday, December 18 when they visit Drew University at 4 p.m. The Aggies are off until 2011 when they compete in the Lycoming College Tournament on Saturday, January 3 against Worcester State College at 8 p.m.