Ewing, NJ... Three straight pins catapulted The College New Jersey wrestling team to a 25-17 win over visiting Centenary College on Friday in a showdown of nationally-ranked programs.

The 12th-ranked Lions won by fall at 165, 174, and 184 pounds to take the lead for good as they capped the regular season with a record of 19-2. The loss snapped the 10th-ranked Cyclones 11-match winning streak as they dipped to 11-2.

The match was also the final home dual meet for five Lion seniors and that group was recognized in brief ceremony prior to the opening bout. Those seniors are John Barnett (Oak Ridge, NJ/Jefferson Township), Justin Bonitatis (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East), Dan Hughes (Delran, NJ/Delran), David Kiley (Howell, NJ/Brick Memorial), and Adam Koziol (Paramus, NJ/Paramus).

After the Cyclones won the opening bout at 125 pounds by decision, sophomore Dan Herr (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Knolls) quickly put the hosts back in front as he won by a 14-4 major decision at 133. That win put TCNJ in front 4-3.

Centenary reclaimed the lead thanks to a 12-4 major decision at 141 by Dave Alsieux (Belmar, NJ/Manasquan), who is ranked seventh nationally.

Again the Lions battled back as John Darling (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) scored three back points late in the third period to pull out an 8-6 victory at 149 knotting the match at 7-7.

The see-saw match continued at 157 with the Cyclones grabbing a 6-4 decision, but Bonitatis put the Lions in front 13-10 with a pin in 5:44. That win was the 129th of his career leaving him one shy of tying Tim Jacoutot for the most in program history since 1985.

Sophomore Brian Broderick (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional) made it two straight pins at 174 as he needed only 42 seconds to pick up the win extending the lead to 19-10.

Junior Mike Denver (Bayville, NJ/Central Regional) kept the Lions rolling at 184 pounds as he garnered his 100th career win in style pinning Centenary's J.J. Mitchell (Hackettstown, Hackettstown) in 6:11. Denver's victory also secured the team win for the Lions.

The Cyclones closed out the dual meet with wins at 197 pounds and heavyweight making the final 25-17.

The Lions are idle until Sunday, February 27 will defend their title at the 2011 Metropolitan Conference Championships. The NCAA Championship qualifying tournament will be hosted by King's College in Wilkes-Barre, PA.