Glassboro, NJ … The College of New Jersey men's basketball team picked up an important road win as they defeated Rowan University 90-82 in New Jersey Athletic Conference action on Wednesday night.
 
The victory pushes the Lions (13-8, 8-6) one step closer to a post-season berth, as they maintain a firm grasp on fifth place in the conference.
 
The Lions posted a season-high 16 three-point buckets and shot 51 percent from the floor. Their sharp shooting overcame 21 turnovers, which factored into why the Profs were tough to shake until the final buzzer sounded.
 
Junior Eric Klacik (Basking Ridge, Ridge) registered a career-high five, three-point field goals to match a career-best 21 points. Klacik has been on fire the past five contests, averaging 18.8 points per game, shooting 54 percent (31-of-57) from the floor, and knocking down 18 three-pointers.
 
Sophomore Eric Murdock, Jr. (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater) narrowly missed a triple-double for the second straight game. He finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists. Sophomore Steven Kelly (Newton, NJ/Newton) also turned in another strong performance with 14 points and four boards.
 
TCNJ led 14-7 early on, but an 18-4 run by Rowan put the host squad in control in the opening half. Klacik found the bottom of the net four times from behind the arc to keep the Lions in striking distance, but they trailed 35-32 at the break.
 
A three-pointer field goal by Rowan's Rob DePersia gave the Profs a 42-37 lead with just over 16 minutes to play in the game. But the Lions went off on a 21-2 run as Kelly netted eight points, Klacik accounted for seven, and Murdock, Jr. drained a pair of three-pointers to spearhead the rally.
 
Rowan continued to battle and drew within five points with 3:11 to play. Murdock, Jr. answered with a three-point dagger to quiet the Profs charge. TCNJ never allowed Rowan to get any closer and secured their 13^th win of the season.
 
Junior Nick Alaimo (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) cracked double figures with 12 points, while rookie Jordan Glover (Lawrence, NJ/Lawrence) added 11 points and six boards.
 
The Lions return to Packer Hall on Saturday to take on first-place New Jersey City University at 3 p.m. in Packer Hall.