Video interview with TCNJ Head Coach Matt Goldsmith

Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey men's basketball team continues its spectacular post-season run this Saturday night in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship game at Stockton University at 7 p.m.
 
The fifth-seeded Lions earned a spot in the tournament final with road victories over fourth-seeded Ramapo College and top-seeded New Jersey City University. In those wins, TCNJ averaged 98.5 points on offense, shot 57 percent from the floor, and 51 percent from three-point range. The score has been tied in both games, but only in the time that ticked off from tip-off to their first three-point basket. The Lions have not trailed in the post-season.
 
The Ospreys earned a first-round bye as the two-seed and advanced to the championship game with a convincing 95-75 triumph over third-seeded Rutgers-Newark. Four players reached double figures, led Jaymere Hadden with 23 points. Stockton is making its third consecutive trip to the NJAC championship game, winning the last two titles to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA championship tournament.
 
REGULAR SEASON MATCH-UPS
 
Game 1 – December 2, 2015 in Galloway, NJ – TCNJ 76  Stockton 70
 
TCNJ got off to a strong start and held an 11-point advantage at the break. They were able to hold off the Ospreys, getting it done from the charity stripe (20-for-25). Eric Murdock, Jr. netted a game-high 24 points, going a perfect 10-for-10 from the foul line.
 
Game 2 – January, 27 2016 in Ewing, NJ – Stockton 77  TCNJ 68
 
The Ospreys took command early, using their press to force 14 first-half turnovers by the Lions. TCNJ also struggled with its shooting touch in the opening period, enabling Stockton to build a 36-22 halftime lead. The Ospreys were balanced on offense as four players reached double figures, led by Maurice Hart with 19 points.
 
TEAM STRENGTHS
 
TCNJ led the conference in free-throw percentage (.737) and three-point field goals made per game (9.7). They also ranked second in assists (14.9) and defensive rebounding (28.8)
 
Stockton topped the NJAC in scoring defense (64.9 points per game), turnover margin (+4.62), and assist to turnover ratio (1.0). They also ranked second in field goal percentage defense (41.0) and third in three-point field goal percentage defense (.320).
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
 
Stockton – Senior guard Armin Cane was named to the All-NJAC First Team and junior Jaymere Hadden was selected to the All-NJAC Second Team. Sophomore Marcus Harmon was named All-NJAC Honorable Mention.
 
Cane is averaging 16.8 points per game and compiled 61 three-point field goals this season. Hadden netted 15.6 points per game. Cane was also the top rebounder for Stockton with 144 this season, while Maurice Hart amassed 141.
 
TCNJ – Sophomore Eric Murdock, Jr. was named to the All-NJAC First Team. He led the Lions with 19.2 points per game, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. He broke the program record for assists in a season and currently has 174. In the NJAC semifinal, Murdock, Jr. poured in a career-high 36 points.
 
Junior guard Eric Klacik is averaging 12.8 points per game and has drained 54 three-point field goals this season. During the NJAC playoffs, freshman Jordan Glover is a sizzling 11-of-13 from three-point range. Sophomore Elias Bermudez is 13-of-15 from the floor in the past two games.
 
TALE OF TWO CITIES
 
On the sidelines, the Ospreys have been led by Head Coach Gerry Matthews for the past 30 years. The Lions have young blood flowing in first-year Head Coach Matthew Goldsmith. Perhaps the most impressive statistic for Matthews is that he has never had a losing season in 30 years. He's been to 15 NCAA tournaments and is the winningest basketball coach in New Jersey college basketball history with 602 wins. Goldsmith has led the Lions back to the NJAC championship final for the first time since 1998. He has achieved the pinnacle of success in the post-season, winning the NCAA Division III national title in 2007 as a player for Amherst College and again as an assistant coach in 2013 for the Purple and White.
 
Matthews is assisted by Scott Bittner, Kevin Brooks, and Bob Hutchings.
 
Goldsmith is assisted by Evan Elberg and Pat Tarrant.