Box Score

Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey men's basketball team struggled in its New Jersey Athletic Conference opener, falling to William Paterson University 87-69 in Packer Hall of Saturday afternoon.

The loss drops the Lions to 0-3 on the season, while the Pioneers improved to 3-0 overall.

Three players tallied 20-plus points for the Pioneers. Junior Sandy Burgos (Fort Lee, NJ/Fort Lee) registered a game-high 30 points, followed by senior Javae King-Gilchrist (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck) who posted a double-double (24 points, 10 rebounds). Sophomore Bright Mensah (Hackensack, NJ/Hackensack) enjoyed a hot shooting day, connecting on 8-of-11 shots from the floor and sank all three free-throw attempts.

Sophomore Bobby Brackett (Lawrence, NJ/Lawrence) also produced a double-double with 18 points and 15 boards. Junior Jayson Johnson (Bordentown, NJ/Life Center Academy) finished with 11 points, while freshman Eric Klacik (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge) added 10 points and three assists.

The Pioneers took advantage from the free-throw line, hitting 27-of-30 foul shots.

It was a slow start offensively for both squads with just five field goals made in the opening eight minutes of play. The Pioneer heated up, however, and took command of the period. They jetted out to an 18-2 run, staking themselves to a 21-10 lead.

With 9:14 remaining in the half, junior Alex Fox (Washington, NJ/Westwood) took a feed from junior Skyelar Ettin (Princeton, NJ/Princeton) and drained a three-point shot to snap a 7:24 span between field goals.

Klacik gave the Lions a spark with six minutes left in the half. He knocked down a 15-foot jumper, and on the ensuing possession, was fouled taking a three-point shot. Klacik drained all three to pull the Lions within seven.

WPU recovered and held of a 42-29 advantage at the intermission.

Brackett had a big second half for the Lions. After being held to a single basket in the opening period, he was 7-of-11 from the field after the break.

A three-point bucket by Ettin at the 11:40 mark shaved the deficit to single digits. But TCNJ had trouble containing Burgos. He hit 3-of-4 three-point attempts and found the bottom of the net on all 13 free throw attempts. Burgos also had a game-high five assists.

Junior Jason Chalmers (Oakland, NJ/Indian Hills) was 2-for-2 from three-point range and finished with six points. Fox finished with eight points and Joe Kane (Cinnaminson, NJ/Holy Cross) contributed six points and three rebounds in 11 minutes of play.

TCNJ continues its conference schedule on Tuesday, November 26 when they visit Richard Stockton College. They return home on Wednesday, November when they host Bridgewater College at in Packer Hall at 1 p.m.