Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey men's basketball team used a 15-2 run in the waning minutes of the game, but it was not enough as Centenary College escaped with an 87-78 victory in Packer Hall on Monday night.
 
Junior Skyelar Ettin (Princeton, NJ/Princeton) bested the career high he set just two days ago, tallying 26 points on 12-of-20 shooting from the floor. Junior Matthew Rista (Point Pleasant, NJ/St. Anthony's) netted 17 of his 19 points in the second half, as he drained a trio of three-pointers late in the contest to keep the Lions hopes alive.
 
Junior Andy Charles (West Orange, NJ/Montclair) had a monster effort the Cyclones as he scored 24 points and grabbed 21 rebounds. It was the second straight game Charles had over 20 points and 20 rebounds to his credit. Senior Max Hughes (Nazareth, Pa/Notre Dame Green Pond) was 6-of-7 from the floor, and hit all four three-point attempts he fired up to finish with 17 points.
 
Centenary (2-2) led 79-59 with 3:03 remaining in the game. Rista then scored 14 points in less than three minutes, hitting his third shot from behind the arc with 37 seconds remaining to draw within five points at 83-78. Junior Kyle Malavasi (Asbury, NJ/North Hunterdon) and Charles were able to hit their free throws down the stretch, however, handing the Lions (0-3) their third straight loss.
 
The opening half was a back-and-forth battle that was a mix of sloppy play and tenacious defense. The Cyclones turned the ball over 19 times, yet boasted seven blocks and a 25-19 advantage under the glass. The Lions were guilty of just three turnovers and racked up eight steals.
 
The score was tied 14-14 through the opening 10 minutes of play. Centenary took a seven-point lead with a basket and three-point bucket by freshman Clayton Roker (New City, NY/Clarkstown South) sandwiched around a dunk by Cheavers. TCNJ came right back with three straight baskets. Ettin hit a jumper followed by back-to-back layups from sophomore Jayson Johnson (Bordentown, NJ/Life Center Academy).
 
Ettin scored nine straight points for the Lions in less than three minutes and finished the period with 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Charles had six boards in the opening 20 minutes as Centenary held a 36-33 lead at the break.
 
Hughes came out hot following the intermission, scoring nine points in the first six minutes to build a 51-42 advantage. After a timeout, sophomore Alex Fox (Washington Twp., NJ/Westwood) drained a long three-pointer to pull within six, but the Cyclones outscored TCNJ 13-4 over the next five minutes to stretch the lead to 64-47.
 
Centenary held a distinct advantage under the boards 49-35 and blocked 12 shots in the game. The Lions held steady by taking care of the basketball, turning it over just eight times compared to 29 by the guests.
Sophomore Emmanuel Matlock (Trenton, NJ/Solebury) also put forth a solid effort with six points, five boards, three assists, and three steals. Fox tallied eight points, while junior Joe Kane (Cinnaminson, NJ/Holy Cross) grabbed a team-high rebounds and five points.
 
The Lions return to Packer Hall on Wednesday when they host NJAC opponent Richard Stockton College at 8 p.m. The Cyclones will travel to Marywood University on Thursday in Scranton, Pa at 7 p.m.