Box Score

Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey men's basketball team muscled its way to a third straight victory as they defeated Ramapo College 84-69 in New Jersey Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon in Packer Hall.

Dominant rebounding and efficiency from the free throw line punctuated the Lions (4-6, 2-3 NJAC) first home win of the season. TCNJ secured 43 rebounds (19 offensive), while the Roadrunners (5-7, 2-3 NJAC) managed just 20 boards in the contest.

Sophomore Bobby Brackett (Lawrence, NJ/Lawrence) led the Lions' charge with his ninth double-double of the season. He posted a game-high 23 points and 19 boards. Joe Kane (Cinnaminson, NJ/Holy Cross) enjoyed his best performance of the season, scoring a career-high 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor. Junior Skyelar Ettin (Princeton, NJ/Princeton) finished with 14 points, while junior Jason Chalmers (Oakland, NJ/Indian Hills) tallied 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

Four players finished with double figures for Ramapo. Sophomore forward Frank Nock (Bridgeton, NJ/Bridgeton) led the Roadrunners with 14 points and four steals. Terry Hicks (Neptune, NJ/Neptune) finished with 11 points and four assists, and juniors George Sapp (Sicklerville, NJ/Timber Creek) and Loren Jackson (Eatontown, NJ/Monmouth Regional) each added 10 points.

The Lions held a slight lead at the break, but a huge advantage under the glass. They out-rebounded the Roadrunners 23-11, including 13 offensive boards. Brackett pulled down seven rebounds on the offensive end and also served up five assists. Chalmers rolled in three buckets underneath, all coming off sharp looks from Brackett.

Ramapo led for the majority of the half, but TCNJ never let the lead get larger than six points. Kane knocked down a 3-pointer from the baseline with 1:50 remaining in the half to give the Lions their first lead since the opening minute of the game. The Roadrunners answered right back, but Brackett converted underneath off a feed from Kane. He then converted a pair of free throws to give TCNJ a 33-32 advantage at the intermission.

Jackson led the Roadrunners with eight points in the opening period while Hicks copped four steals.

Freshman Eric Klacik (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge) drained a three-point shot to open the second half and the Lions were off and running. They outscored the Roadrunners 18-11 over the first seven minutes to stretch the lead to 51-43.

A large portion of the second half was contested at the free throw line. A total of 58 foul shots were taken in the game and TCNJ capitalized from the charity stripe. They dropped in 23-of- 27 free throws, which factored heavily into the win.

The Lions outscored Ramapo 51-37 in the second half. The 84 points was a season-high.

TCNJ is back on the floor on Monday night when they visit FDU-Florham for a 7 p.m. non-conference game. Ramapo takes on Rutgers-Newark in Newark, NJ on Wednesday evening.