Kings Point, NY… The College of New Jersey wrestling team brought an end to the United States Merchant Marine Academy's eight-match winning streak as the Lions posted a 25-12 road win over the Mariners on Thursday.

The win put the 30^th-ranked Lions at an even 4-4, while USMMA lost for the first time in more than a month to dip to 8-2.

The Mariners raced out to a 9-3 lead following the first four weight classes with sophomore Jimmy Gill (Smithtown, NY/St. John the Baptist) getting TCNJ's lone win at 133 pounds with a 3-2 decision.

Once down by six points, the Lions got rolling as sophomore Dylan Thorsen (Belvidere, NJ/Belvidere) won 149, sophomore Nick Herring (Middletown, NJ/Middletown South) earned a decision at 157, and sophomore Antonio Mancella (Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) put TCNJ in front at 13-9 with a technical fall win at 165.

The Lions then sent their two ranked wrestlers out to the mat with 10^th-ranked senior Zach Zotollo (Paramus, NJ/Paramus) posting a 10-4 victory at 174 and top-ranked senior Brian Broderick (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional) won 7-2. The final triumph of the night for the Lions came at 197 pounds thanks to junior Frank Crocco (Little Falls, NJ/Passiac Valley), who pinned his opponent at 197 in 2:46.

Lions aim to pack Packer Hall on February 7

TCNJ has set its match against fifth-ranked Wilkes University as "Alumni Night" on Friday, February 7 with the hopes of filling Packer Hall. The dual meet is set for a 7 p.m. start, but fans are encouraged to arrive early with pre-match t-shirt promotions being held, as well as a number of former Lion grapplers being introduced before the starting line-ups.

#30 The College of New Jersey 17, United States Merchant Marine Academy
125 – Mike Mui (USMMA) dec. Kevin Corrigan (TCNJ), 8-7; 0-3
133 – Jimmy Gill (TCNJ) dec. Isaac Hammonds (USMMA), 3-2; 3-3
141 – Nathan Twito (USMMA) wins by forfeit; 3-9
149 – Dylan Thorsen (TCNJ) dec. Jack Walsh (USMMA), 7-1; 6-9
157 – Nick Herring (TCNJ) dec. Ben Stallings (USMMA), 3-0; 9-9
165 – Antonio Mancella (TCNJ) tech. fall. Bernard Watson (USMMA), 21-6 (7:00); 13-9*
174 – #10 Zach Zotollo (TCNJ) dec. Josh Miller (USMMA), 10-4; 16-9
184 – #1 Brian Broderick (TCNJ) dec. Sam Fry (USMMA), 7-2; 19-9
197 – Frank Crocco (TCNJ) WBF Tyler Russell (USMMA), 2:46; 25-9
HWT – Brian Walker (USMMA) dec. Patrick Schinder (TCNJ), 4-1; 25-12
*4-Point Technical Fall (No Back Points Earned)