Box Score

Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey men's basketball team won its second straight game as they cruised to a 79-60 victory over visiting Hunter College on Friday night.
 
The Lions (8-10) put forth one of their most impressive performances of the season, playing with fire on defense and composure on offense. The hit 47 percent of their shots and dropped in 19-of-23 free throws as four different players reached double figures in the game.
 
Brandon Johnson (Hamilton, NJ/Hamilton West) led TCNJ in scoring with a career-high 15 points. The junior guard was electric off the bench, matching a career-best with four steals and also dished out two assists in 18 minutes of play.
 
Senior Albert Matlock (Trenton, NJ/Solebury) had a solid game, hitting four-of-five shots for 11 points. Senior Kyle Rawson (Warren, NJ/Watchung Hills) and junior Donovan Smalls (Union, NJ/Union) also finished with 11 points. Freshman Emmanuel Matlock (Trenton, NJ/Solebury) had another productive game leading the offense with nine points, four assists, and a season-high six steals
 
The Hawks (8-9) were led by senior Anthony Uter (Jamaica, NY/August Martin) who finished with 16 points. Senior Panagiotis Koutsoloukas (Marousi, Greece/Lycioum Paralimniou Cyprus) and junior Terry Carpenter (Akron, OH/Akron Springfield) each tallied nine points. Koutsoloukas also had seven rebounds and two blocked shots.
 
The Lions didn't waste time as they rattled off the first nine points of the game, punctuated by a three-point basket from Emmanuel Matlock. The Hawks climbed their way back into the contest as Uter hit a short jumper to cut the lead to 15-12 with 12:01 to play.
 
Johnson and Smalls provided a huge spark midway through the period. Johnson stole a pass and went coast-to-coast for a layup and then converted a conventional three-point play on the ensuing possession. Smalls then pulled up and connected on a shot from the behind the arc as the Lions lead quickly grew to 15 points.
 
TCNJ applied heavy pressure on defense, producing nine steals in the first 20 minutes. Emmanuel Matlock swiped his fourth steal of the half and fed brother Al for a layup as the Lions took a 38-28 lead into the intermission.
 
TCNJ pulled away in the second half as 11 different players scored points. A highlight of the closing period was the rookie Matlock diving to the floor for a steal, then throwing a pass over his head from his back to an open Johnson in the corner. Johnson promptly drilled a long jumper to give the Lions a 66-47 advantage.
The Lions visit New Jersey City University for a New Jersey Athletic Conference match-up tomorrow night at 7 p.m. TCNJ returns to the floor in Packer Hall on Friday, January 20 when they take on Eastern Connecticut College in a non-conference battle at 7 p.m