Box Score

Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey men's basketball team registered a season-high 95 points, defeating Immaculata University 95-81 on Saturday afternoon in Packer Hall..
 
The Lions (5-3) won for the fourth time in their last five games, using another balanced effort on both ends of the floor. Head coach Kelly Williams interchanged 14 players during the game as 12 of them appeared in the scoring column to notch their fifth win of the season.
 
Four players hit double-digit numbers on offense led by sophomore Skyelar Ettin (Princeton, NJ/Princeton), and freshman Kyle Cancillieri (Lincroft, NJ/Middletown South) who each netted 14 points. Sophomore Daniel Balevski (West Windsor, NJ/West Windsor-South) scored a career-high 13 points, hitting four-of five shots from the floor and all five free throw attempts. Senior Al Matlock (Trenton, NJ/Solebury) dropped in a season-best 13 points, all coming in the first half.
 
The Mighty Macs (3-6) were sparked by junior Nelson Torres (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee), who led all scorers in the game with 22 points. He also topped his team with seven rebounds. Senior Rob Siter (Yeadon, PA/Bonner) added 14 points and a game-high five assists.
 
The Lions got off to a quick start as Balevski scored seven of the team's first nine points in the opening minutes. TCNJ built a 19-12 lead, scoring all of its points in the paint until Matlock drained his first three-pointer at the 12:20 mark.
 
The senior guard caught fire hitting five of his first six shots in the half. Cancillieri came off the bench midway through the period and made an immediate impact, scoring five points and collecting four rebounds in just five minutes of play as TCNJ held a 44-26 lead at the break.
 
The Lions maintained control of the game in the second half. Senior Kyle Rawson (Warren, NJ/Watchung Hills) provided quality minutes off the bench as he contributed eight points and six rebounds.
 
On the defensive end, the Lions played with energy. They forced 24 Mighty Mac turnovers in the contest that included 10 steals. Cancillieri was dynamic as he collected a game-high eight boards, blocked three shots, and swiped three steals.
 
Trailing by as many as 20 points in the second half, Immaculata applied pressure midway through the period. They cut the deficit to single digits, outscoring the Lions 20-10 over a five-minute span of play. Siter converted on a conventional three-point play to make it a 76-67 game with 6:19 remaining.
 
But TCNJ managed to hold on as they were efficient from the free throw line, dropping in 25-of-35 shots from the charity stripe. Ettin knocked down eight-of-nine foul shots in the game.
 
Junior Donovan Smalls (Union, NJ/Union) scored eight points and posted three steals in the game. Sophomore Matthew Rista (Point Pleasant, NJ/St. Anthony's) also contributed eight points in the win.
 
TCNJ is idle until Tuesday, December 27 when they visit Centenary College for a game at 2 p.m. Their next home game is scheduled for Saturday, January 7 when they square off against conference opponent Rutgers-Newark at 8 p.m. in Packer Hall.