Box Score


Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey men's basketball team suffered an 87-71 setback at the hand of Rowan University in New Jersey Athletic Conference play on Wednesday night in Packer Hall.

The Profs avenged a 73-70 defeat to the Lions earlier this season. The win moves them to 7-9 and they are now tied for fifth place with New Jersey City University. They defeated Montclair State University this evening. Ramapo College (who fell tonight to Rutgers-Newark), the Red Hawks, and TCNJ all trail the sixth-place spot by a game at 6-10.

The outcome of tonight's game sets up another crucial match-up for the Lions as they visit the Gothic Knights on Saturday at 7 p.m. TCNJ defeated NJCU 79-74 earlier this season.

Bobby Brackett (Lawrence, NJ/Lawrence) continued his superb sophomore campaign with 24 points (10-of-15) and 19 rebounds. Junior Jayson Johnson (Bordentown, NJ/Life Center Academy) reached double figures for the Lions with 10 points as did classmate Skyelar Ettin (Princeton, NJ/Princeton) added seven points

Senior guard Jason Rosenberg (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) engineered a balanced offensive attack for the Profs, scoring 16 points, dishing out eight assists, and securing six boards. Five players had double-digit points as Rosenberg was joined by seniors Tim McDaniels (Mount Holly, NJ/Lenape) and Rick McNamara (Southampton, NJ/Seneca) with 15 points, senior Jason Sofman (West Milford, NJ/West Milford), with 14 points, and sophomore Kris O'Connor (Mount Laurel, NJ/Paul VI) with 10 points.

The Profs used their quickness on offense to build a 43-33 lead at the break. They connected on 16-of-30 shots (53 percent) and knocked down 5-of-9 attempts from behind the arc.

The Lions controlled the boards, outrebounding Rowan 20-14 in the first period. They simply didn't shoot the ball as well, hitting 11-of-30 from the floor.

With the scored tied at 5 in the opening minutes, the Profs rattled off 11 straight points on baskets by five different players. The Lions responded with nine straight points, capped by a conventional three-point play by junior Emanuel Matlock (Trenton, NJ/Solebury).

But Rowan put together another 8-0 run as their Rosenberg scored six of those points and assisted on the other bucket.

A 12-2 run by the Profs to open the second half created too much distance for the Lions to climb their way back into the contest. Rowan continued to shoot at a high percentage from the floor, three-point arc, and free-throw line. They shot 54 percent overall in the game, blocked nine shots, and compiled nine steals.

The Lions did win the battle under the glass by a margin of 41-28, but was guilty of 18 turnovers. Junior Alex Fox (Washington, NJ/Westwood) added seven points and freshman Eric Klacik (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge) chipped in with six points. Freshman Sean Anukuem (East Hanover, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) scored four points in the final minute of play

The Lions will be at NJCU on Saturday for a 7 p.m. tip-off on Saturday night. They return to Packer Hall next Wednesday night in their regular season finale against Montclair State University at 8 p.m. Rowan visits Rutgers-Newark at 8 p.m.