Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey men's basketball team seized a 93-76 victory over Montclair State University in a high-energy affair on Monday night in Packer Hall.
 
The win gave the Lions (11-8, 6-6 NJAC) some breathing room in the fifth spot in the New Jersey Athletic Conference standings.  They now own a two-game lead over the Red Hawks (9-11, 5-8 NJAC) and Rowan University (8-12, 5-8). The top six teams in the conference advance to the NJAC championship tournament.
 
The critical match had a post-season feel as both teams played with tenacity throughout the contest. The aggressive play also led to a combined 41 points off turnovers, 49 fouls, and an ejection. The Lions used a balanced attacked on offense as six different players reached double figures.
 
Sophomore Eric Murdock, Jr. (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater) produced another complete effort with 21 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds. Junior Nick Alaimo (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) tallied 13 points and sophomore Steven Kelly (Newton, NJ/Newton) finished with 12 points and five boards.
 
Montclair was led by Erick Loften-Harris who finished with a game-high 27 points. Brandon Channer added 17 points and seven rebounds, while Shaun Russell scored 13 points in the contest.
 
It was an offensive showcase in the opening period. The Red Hawks knocked down 13 of their first 19 shots and 6-of-9 from three-point land. Every time the Lions appeared as if they had momentum, Montclair answered with a basket at the other end.
 
TCNJ finally broke away towards the end of the half. A 12-2 run over the final five minutes gave them a 46-35 lead at the break.
 
A long three-point field goal off the finger-tips of freshman Kevin Bloodgood (Oceanport, NJ/Shore Regional) extended the Lions a 56-44 lead with 15:01 to play. Montclair called a timeout and responded with a 7-1 run to cut the deficit to six. But their momentum was cut short when Elias Bermudez dropped in a pair of free throws and Alaimo muscled an offensive board and put-back. Bloodgood struck again from downtown and the lead grew to 13 to force another Red Hawk timeout.
 
TCNJ never looked back from that point as the lead grew to 21 points with six minutes remaining. Junior Eric Klacik (Basking Ridge, Ridge) poured in 14 points as did Bloodgood, who was 4-for-5 from downtown.  Freshman Jordan Glover (Lawrence, NJ/Lawrence) netted 11 points and six rebounds in the win. Sophomore Elias Bermudez (Westwood, NJ/Westwood) also put forth a strong effort with eight points, six boards, and four assists.
 
The Lions are back at it on Wednesday night when they visit Rowan University for an 8 p.m. tip-off.