Ewing, NJ …Ignited by a quick start, The College of New Jersey men's basketball team opened up its three-game home stand with a victory as the Lions posted a 77-56 win over Fairleigh Dickinson University at Florham on Monday in Packer Hall.
 
The win was the second straight for the Lions as they climbed to 5-6 on the year, while the Devils dropped their ninth straight contest to fall to 1-11.
 
In the first half, the Lions took control right from the opening tip scoring on the opening possession when freshman Elias Bermudez (Westwood, NJ/Westwood) knocked down a 3-pointer. TCNJ would extend that lead to 10-2 as junior Bobby Brackett (Lawrence, NJ/Lawrence) scored from in the paint on consecutive possessions.
 
TCNJ later took its biggest lead of the period at 32-9 on a lay-up by Jayson Johnson (Bordentown, NJ/Life Academy Center). That lead came with 4:54 left in the period.
 
The Devils cut into that deficit in the closing minutes as they finished off with a 10-2 run, closing the gap to 36-22 at the break.
 
It was more of the same in the second half as TCNJ netted the first seven points of the new period. Senior Skyelar Ettin (Princeton, NJ/Princeton) opened the run with a 3-pointer and capped things off making a pair from the foul line. That modest run upped the advantage to 45-22.
 
Sophomore Eric Klacik (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge) enjoyed a banner second half as he helped the hosts build to their lead. He converted on a rare four-point play and later two free throws to extend the advantage to 60-31.
 
The biggest lead for the hosts came minutes later on a 3-pointer by sophomore Kevin Johnson (Belle Mead, NJ/Montgomery). That trey came with 10:08 left in the game and gave TCNJ a 65-34 lead.
 
The Devils made things closer at the end, but it wasn't enough as the Lions opened the new year with a victory.
 
TCNJ had a very balanced attack with 12 different players scoring. Ettin and Klacik each finished with 14, while Johnson added 10.
 
For the Devils, sophomore Donte Ali (Willingboro, JN/Medford Tech) finished with 12 points.
 
TCNJ returns to New Jersey Athletic Conference play on Wednesday, January 7 when they host Ramapo College at 8 p.m. in Packer Hall.