Box Score

Wayne, NJ … The College of New Jersey men's basketball team dropped a 94-63 decision in its season opener to 20^th-ranked William Paterson University in New Jersey Athletic Conference play on Tuesday night in Wayne, NJ.
 
The Lions (0-1, 0-1 NJAC) hung tough in the first half, but were unable to maintain pace with the Pioneers (2-1, 1-0 NJAC) who collected their second victory of the season. WPU used a pair of big runs, one coming in each half to claim their first conference match-up. They held a 41-26 advantage in rebounds and shot 56.5 percent overall in the game.
 
TCNJ sophomore Jayson Johnson (Bordentown, NJ/Life Center Academy) wasted no time making a name for himself as he finished with a game-high 20 points in his debut. He hit his first four shots of the game and poured in 17 first-half points. Johnson shot 60 percent from the floor (6-of-10) on the night and also had three steals. Sophomore guard Matthew Rista (Point Pleasant, NJ/St. Anthony's) tallied 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting, while point guard Emmanuel Matlock (Trenton, NJ/Solebury Prep) chipped in with nine points and a game-high five assists in the opener.
 
The Lions held their own with the Pioneers early in the game. Johnson fed junior Joe Kane (Cinnaminson, NJ/Holy Cross) for a lay-up to cut the deficit to 19-18 midway through the opening period. WPU responded, however, with an 11-0 run, draining five consecutive shots and a free throw to race ahead 30-18. TCNJ shot 50 percent in the opening 20 minutes, but the Pioneers were even more locked in, hitting 59 percent of their shots to build a 45-36 halftime cushion.
 
The host put the contest out of reach with a 17-4 run to open the second half. Their size advantage and tenacity under the boards was difficult to overcome as they outscored the Lions 46-18 in the paint and managed 23 second-chance points. Five players finished in double figures led by senior guard Rick Destefano and sophomore playmaker Jacques Conceicao who each finished with 12 points. Freshman Terik Bridgeman produced a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while senior Lance Brown netted 11 points, dished out four assists, and copped three steals.
 
Kane had a solid game for the Lions, netting seven points, grabbing a team-high four rebounds, and blocked two shots. Freshman Mitch Miller (Ringoes, NJ/Hunterdon Central) saw significant time on the floor and also came down with four boards and five points. Junior Skyelar Ettin (Princeton, NJ/Princeton) dropped in his lone shot attempt of the night from behind the arc and senior Zach Friedrich (Berlin, NJ/East Stroudsburg South) blocked a shot and pulled down three boards.
 
TCNJ returns to the floor this Saturday when they visit Bridgewater State College at 1 p.m. The Lions will play their home-opener on Monday, November 26 when they host Centenary College at 7 p.m. in Packer Hall.