Box Score

Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey men's basketball team engaged in a thriller in Packer Hall on Wednesday night, but came up on the short end falling 79-77 to Richard Stockton College in New Jersey Athletic Conference play.
 
Despite the loss, the Lions (8-14, 2-8) remain in the playoff hunt as Rowan University suffered a 50-48 loss to Kean University to put them in a tie for second place in the NJAC South Division. Only a game separates the Lions from second place and they play both Rowan and Kean in the next seven days.
 
The Ospreys (15-6, 9-1) held on for their 15^th win of the season as they have already clinched the top spot in the division.
 
TCNJ gave Richard Stockton all they could handle, playing their best all-around game of the season. Five Lion players reached double figures, and despite being outsized by the visiting Ospreys, held a 35-33 advantage in rebounds.
 
Senior Kyle Rawson (Warren, NJ/Watchung Hills) had a tremendous game, scoring a team-high 16 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Jason Chalmers (Oakland, NJ/Indian Hills) notched a career-high 12 points, while sophomore Dan Balevski (West Windsor, NJ/West Windsor South) added 11 points and six boards.
 
Junior forward Bill McDonough (Spring Lake, NJ/St. Rose) registered a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Junior guard Darnell McCargo (Woodlynne, NJ/Collingswood) led all scorers with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while senior forward DiAndre Brown (Sicklerville, NJ/Camden County Tech) also had a big night with 18 points and five boards.
 
TCNJ held Richard Stockton scoreless for the first 5:23 of the game, but the Ospreys shot to life, mounting an 11-0 run to take an early 11-7 lead and command of the game.
 
The Lions would battle back, however, as Albert Matlock (Trenton, NJ/Solebury) and Rawson combined to shoot 6-of-10 in the opening period to keep the Ospreys from pulling away. Matlock pulled up to drill a three-point shot to make it a 23-21 game at the 7:21 mark.
 
Richard Stockton hit five 3s in the first half, including a pair from McDonough which led them to a 40-35 advantage at the break.
 
Things got testy in the second half as technical fouls were assessed to both teams. After Chalmers hit a pair free throws, the Lions had cut the deficit to 51-49 just inside of 15 minutes.
 
The pace and level of game escalated from there with a number of terrific passes and finishes on both ends. McDonough punctuated the frenzy when he took a pass off the glass from Kevin Johnson and slammed hit home to push the Osprey lead to 70-63 with 7:44 to play.
 
But TCNJ refused to go away. With 2:15 on the clock, Emmanuel Matlock (Trenton, NJ/Solebury) drove the lane and muscled his way to the basket for two points to close the gap to 74-73.
 
Following a Richard Stockton timeout, Brown hit two free throws to extend the lead to three. The Lions had chances but just couldn't hit the crucial shot they needed as the Ospreys were efficient from the line to stave off the upset.
 
Both Albert and Emmanuel Matlock brothers finished with 10 points.
 
The Lions return to the floor on Saturday, February 4 when they visit conference foe Rowan University at 3 p.m. The return home to Packer Hall on Wednesday, Febuary 8 whes n they take on NJAC opponent Kean University at 8 p.m.