Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey men's basketball team came out on top of a fierce battle in Packer Hall as they defeated New Jersey City University, 75-69 on Saturday afternoon.
 
The victory lifts the Lions into second place in the New Jersey Athletic Conference standings and sets up a showdown with Ramapo College next Saturday in Packer. TCNJ improved its season mark to 15-5, 11-2 in the NJAC and a perfect 10-0 at home. The Gothic Knights fell to 16-4 and 10-3 in the conference. The top six teams in the conference standings qualify for the NJAC championship tournament with the first- and second-place teams receiving a first-round bye.
 
It took a complete team effort to defeat NJCU. Four players reached double figures, led by senior Bobby Brackett (Lawrenceville, NJ/Lawrence) who had a game-high 22 points. Eric Murdock, Jr. (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater) finished with 13 points and seven assists, including a clutch three-point field goal in the final minutes. Senior Eric Klacik (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge) and sophomore Jordan Glover (Lawrenceville, NJ/Lawrence) added 12 points apiece.
 
NJCU was tough under the boards in the opening half. Despite shooting just 28 percent, NJCU used nine offensive rebounds to compile nine more shot attempts than the Lions in the opening 20 minutes.
 
Midway through the first, the Lions led 15-14. The Gothic Knights tightened up defensively and didn't allow a basket for more than 10 minutes. Local Trenton product Shaquan Worthy dropped in a three-pointer from the top to give NJCU its first lead since the 17- minute mark. Kevin Brown then banked in a put-back to push the Gothic Knights ahead, 20-16.
 
Brackett took a bounce pass from Joe Montano (Eatontown, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) after breaking the press and banked in a lay-up while being fouled. That broke the drought of more than 10 minutes without registering a field goal. The good news is that the Lions also played well defensively and never trailed by more than five points. Brackett made the free throw and got the roll on the next possession to tie the game 23-23 with 2:41 remaining in the half.
 
NJCU guard Jalen Harris delivered a long 3 to push ahead 28-25, but Lion Kevin Bloodgood (Oceanport, NJ/Shore Regional) responded with a three-pointer. The final minute was a scramble until Brackett was found alone after a turnover and spiked a two-handed jam to tie the game at 32 at the break.
 
A 13-2 run by the Lions midway through the second half was highlighted by an Elias Bermudez (Westwood, NJ/Westwood) block and steals by Murdock, Jr. and Kevin Johnson (Belle Mead). A pair of conventional three-point plays by Corey Stanford (Pittsburgh, PA/Penn Trafford) and then Glover put TCNJ in front 65-61 with five minutes remaining.
 
Tempers flared throughout the second half, evidence of a critical conference contest adjoined with an even match-up on the floor. The game was deadlocked at 67 with 2:33 to play when Murdock, Jr. was fouled and cashed in a pair of foul shots. With 1:34 on the clock, Brackett drew an offensive foul to give the Lions possession. Another free throw by Murdock, Jr. made it a 70-67 advantage and then he slammed the door on the home win with a long three with 37 seconds left.
 
Sam Toney finished with 18 points for the Gothic Knights and Harris netted 16.
 
The Lions will visit Rowan University (12-5, 7-5 NJAC) on Wednesday night before returning home to play the Roadrunners. That game is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 4.