Box Score

Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey men's basketball team suffered a 68-57 defeat to Montclair State University in New Jersey Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon in Packer Hall.
 
The Lions (8-13, 2-7) put forth a tremendous effort in the second half, outscoring the Red Hawks 39-32 to make it an exciting contest. But an 18-point deficit after the first half of play was too much to overcome against a talented MSU squad.
 
Senior Albert Matlock (Trenton, NJ/Solebury) topped TCNJ in scoring with a season-high 17 points, 15 of which came off three-point baskets. Classmate Kyle Rawson (Warren, NJ/Watchung Hills) finished with 10 points and sophomore Skyelar Ettin (Princeton, NJ/Princeton) added seven points and five rebounds.
 
Senior Andrew August (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan), who ranks second in the NJAC averaging 20.6 points per game, led Montclair with 25 points. Sophomore Ordel Goldson (Hackettstown, NJ/Warren Hills) registered a double-double with 16 points and 12 boards, while sophomore Dan Singleton (Neptune, NJ/Neptune) added 13 points and eight rebounds.
 
Shooting percentage was the story of the opening half. The visitors hit 54 percent of their shots, while the Lions could not a get a roll, dropping in just 7-of-35 attempts. MSU's Goldson was locked in from the start, draining seven of his first eight shots.
 
Rawson buried a pair of three-pointers before the break, but the Red Hawks held a comfortable 36-18 lead at the intermission.
 
Sophomore Alex Fox (Washington, NJ/Westwood) sparked some excitement in the second half when he stripped a Red Hawk ball-handler at the midcourt and then coasted in for the bucket. Ettin then drilled an 18-foot jumper followed by a strong move to the basket by sophomore Jason Chalmers (Oakland, NJ/Indian Hills) and the Lions cut the deficit to 38-28 with 13:37 to play.
 
After a Red Hawk timeout, Ettin brought the crowd to its feet, draining another long jumpshot to draw within eight points.
 
The Lions continued to chip away as Albert Matlock connected from long distance for the third time in the contest at the 5:59 mark. But August became more and more difficult to contain, particularly when MSU got in the bonus. He finished 11-of-14 as the Red Hawks sealed their 16^th win of the  season and sixth conference victory.
 
The Lions return to the floor on Wednesday, Febuary 1 when they take on NJAC opponent Richard Stockton College in Packer Hall at 8 p.m.
 
Note: TCNJ head coach Kelly Williams participated in Coaches vs. Cancer® Suits and Sneakers awareness weekend, a collaborative initiative of the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). Williams and participating NABC member coaches wear sneakers instead of dress shoes with their suits during weekend games to demonstrate their support for the American Cancer Society . Fans may support this cause by texting COACH to 20222 from any wireless phone to make a $5.00 donation toward Coaches vs. Cancer. For more information, visit the Coaches vs. Cancer Facebook page, facebook.com/coachesvscancer.