Montclair, NJ … In a thrilling battle that included 16 lead changes, The College of New Jersey men's basketball team wrestled its way to a 65-62 victory over Montclair State University at the Panzer Athletic Center on Saturday afternoon.
 
A put-back by Lions' freshman Elias Bermudez (Westwood, NJ/Westwood) with 1:49 remaining was the final basket in the game and difference-maker. Senior Jayson Johnson (Bordentown, NJ/Life Academy Center) iced the contest by making two foul shots with 19 seconds left as the Red Hawks failed to register a bucket in the final 3:16.
 
The victory lifted TCNJ to a 6-5 record in the New Jersey Athletic Conference and an overall mark of 10-8. The Lions are now tied for fourth place in the league standings with Rowan University and one step closer to a post-season berth. MSU dropped to 5-11 overall and 2-9 in the NJAC.
 
Johnson poured in a team-high 21 points, while junior Bobby Brackett (Lawrence, NJ/Lawrence) had a big game with 20 points and 14 rebounds. TCNJ struggled from three-point range, hitting just 2-of-16 attempts on the afternoon. But the interior production from Brackett and slashing play of Johnson and freshman Eric Murdock, Jr. (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater) provided enough offense to claim their fifth conference win in their last six NJAC match-ups.
 
Freshman Lavrone Green (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck) led all scorers with 24 points, including four three-point field goals. Shaun Russell (Brooklyn, NY/Willingboro) put forth a solid all-around effort with eight points, 10 boards and four assists.
 
TCNJ held a 33-31 advantage at the half. Play was even in the opening 20 minutes with the Lions holding a modest lead the majority of the period. A 7-1 spurt gave the Red Hawks a 26-22 edge with 4:52 remaining. Brackett and Johnson responded with baskets before senior Skyelar Ettin (Princeton, NJ/Princeton) and sophomore Alex Cirlincione (Oakhurst, NJ/Ocean) made four straight free throws to regain the lead at the break.
 
It was a back-and-forth battle in the second half with the lead never exceeding four points for either team. With 5:30 remaining in the game, Russel was fouled as he scored and dropped in his free throw to put MSU ahead 52-51. Freshman Jerome Hilton (Jersey City, NJ/Snyder) then banked in a layup off a fast break to stretch the host advantage to three points.
 
Johnson took over on offense for the Lions over the next few minutes. He cut through the lane and was fouled as the ball dropped through the net. Johnson knocked down his free throw to tie the match. After Russell answered with a pair from the charity stripe, Johnson hit a short baseline jumper to even the score again. Green connected from behind the arc on the ensuing possession to push the Red Hawks ahead 59-56, but Johnson closed the gap with two more free throws after being fouled.
 
Trailing 61-58, Brackett converted another conventional three-point play to pull even with MSU. After Green converted one of two free throws, the Lions had the ball with under two minutes remaining and trailing by one.
 
Johnson cut in from the left side and his attempt rolled off the rim. Bermudez was in position to secure the offensive rebound and quickly bank in the layup to put TCNJ up 63-62 with 1:47 on the clock. That would be all the Lions would need as Johnson drained a pair of insurance free throws to give TCNJ its 10^th win of the season.
 
The Red Hawks had their chances, but missed their final seven field goal attempts from the floor.
 
Murdock, Jr. finished with 11 points, three rebounds and two assists.
 
TCNJ stays on the road as they visit Richard Stockton College on Wednesday night at 6 p.m.