Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey men's basketball team opened its 2016-17 season in style, defeating John Jay College, 75-58 on Tuesday evening in Packer Hall.
 
The Lions (1-0) took some time to find their rhythm, but once they settled in, showcased an impressive blend of size, speed, and skill to turn back the Bloodhounds (0-1) on opening night.
 
TCNJ boasted a balanced attack on offense with four players reaching double figures. A beefed up defensive presence was also on display, holding John Jay under 60 points and 34 percent shooting in the contest. The return of senior Bobby Brackett (Lawrenceville, NJ/Lawrenc and debut of senior transfer Corey Sanford (Pittsburg, PA/Penn Tafford) accounted for 37 points, 21 rebounds, and a 32-20 advantage in points in the paint. Overall, TCNJ outrebounded the Bloodhounds 51-33.
 
Sanford led all scorers with 20 points. Brackett recorded his first double-double of the season with 17 points and 15 boards. Junior Eric Murdock, Jr. (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater) also put forth a well-rounded effort, registering a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists. Sophomore Liam Byrne (Middletown, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) capped the four Lion players in double figures with 12 points on four treys.
 
John Jay was led by Tyrone Dennis with 17 points and Essein Epps with 10 points. Doug Levy had a solid game with nine points and seven boards.
 
Brackett, who missed all of last season with an injury, pronounced his return just 1:16 into the game when he deposited a one-handed jam for the first TCNJ basket of the season. John Jay was solid at the start as Levy drained a jumper to put the Bloodhounds up 12-11 five minutes into the game. TCNJ responded by running off nine straight points to surge ahead 20-12.
 
Midway through the period, Byrne showed his range when he buried three-point field goals on back-to-back trips down the floor. He finished the half 3-for-5 from 3 to lead the Lions with nine points and a 35-30 lead at the break.
The Bloodhounds cut into the lead early in the second period. With the scored locked at 42 with 13:33 to play, TCNJ took control of the contest and erupted for a 21-2 run. Murdock, Jr. sparked the run with a bucket from behind the arc. Sanford brought the crowd to its feet when he banked in a layup while being fouled. He converted the free throw and the Lions never looked back. Brackett and Sanford were too much to handle as the host built a 19-point lead in seven minutes
 
TCNJ will compete in the Penn State Harrisburg Tip-off Tournament this weekend. Their opening against Geneseo State is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Saturday.