Rochester, NY-- The College of New Jersey men's basketball team was defeated by Utica College Friday in the Chuck Resler Tournament at Rochester University. Despite a career-high 22 points from Randall Walko (Somerville, NJ/Somerville), the Lions came up short by a final score of 76-72. 

In the first half, Utica was winning 31-20 with 8:26 remaining however the Lions fought back with a 15-2 run. Three-pointers by Terrance Bailey (Lawrence, NJ/Lawrence) and Mike Walley (Yardley, PA/Notre Dame) cut the deficit to 34-26. Walko hit a three-pointer to pull the Lions within 33-31, and the Lions got on top 35-33 with back-to-back buckets by Bailey and Ryan Jensen (Brielle, NJ/Manasquan). 

In the second half Utica tried to pull away, however the Lions continued to claw back. With just under five minutes remaining, Utica was up 67-57 and the Lions took a timeout. Walko then hit a three-pointer in two straight possessions to get the Lions within four. Eric Murdock Jr. (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater) sunk a three-pointer with a minute left to pull the Lions within striking distance 75-72. After the Lions got the crucial defensive stop they needed, Walko had a chance to tie it up from downtown yet could not get it to fall. 

Walko scored 22 points on 8-15 shooting from the field, including 3-7 from three point range, and grabbed six rebounds. Murdock Jr. added 15 points and five assists, and shot efficiently from the free throw line as he went 8-11. Elias Bermudez (Westwood, NJ/Westwood) added 10 points on 5-9 shooting from the floor, while Jensen cleaned up on the glass with a team-high nine rebounds. 

The Lions were able to win the battle from in close, as they outscored Utica 36-24 points in the paint. Defensively, the Lions harassed Utica as they forced 20 turnovers which turned into 24 TCNJ points. 

Next up for TCNJ is the Chuck Resler Tournament Consolation Game November 18th at 3:00pm.