Doylestown, PA… The College of New Jersey men's basketball team (4-1) was victorious over Delaware Valley University (1-5) on Monday night by a final score of 73-64. Ryan Jensen (Brielle, NJ/Manasquan) exploded for a career-high 31 points to lead the game.

In the first half, the Lions held a 10-9 lead at the 12 minute mark, and went on an 8-0 run capped off by a Jensen three pointer. Jensen lit up the scoreboard in the first half, as he went for 19 points on 7-8 shooting including 3-3 from three point range. The Aggies countered with a 9-0 stretch, yet Jensen refused to be stopped on the offensive end. Joe Montano (Eatontown, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) set up Jensen from three and he connected to put the Lions up 27-18 with 2:37 remaining. He net his 18th and 19th points of the half with a layup off a beautiful low post move with 45 seconds remaining, and Tommy Egan (Shamong, NJ/Seneca) knocked down a three pointer with five seconds left to give the Lions momentum heading into the locker room and a 36-26 advantage. 

In the second half, the Lions raced out to a 51-31 lead with a 15-5 run. Jordan Glover (Trenton, NJ/Lawrence) sank a three pointer off a dish from Eric Murdock, Jr. (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater) then on the next possession Glover converted an old-fashioned three point play off an assist from Niall Carpenter (Westampton, NJ/Westampton). Jensen remained locked in, as he hit again from downtown off a setup from Randall Walko (Somerville, NJ/Somerville) to give the Lions the 20 point lead.

The Aggies refused to go away quietly into the night, and they did not let the Lions run away with the game. Despite the comeback attempt, the closest they were able to pull within was nine points. The Aggies had a chance to get it to a seven point game with just under two minutes remaining, yet Walko challenged a fast break lay up attempt and came down with the crucial rebound. After the Lions called a timeout, Murdock Jr. found Jensen beyond the three point line and Jensen hit the dagger to seal the Lions victory. 

Jensen shattered his previous career-high of 15 points with his outstanding performance. He shot 11-14 from the floor, 5-6 from three point range, and 4-5 from the free throw line. Jensen also cleaned up on the glass with 11 rebounds. Glover scored 11 points, added nine rebounds, and came up with three steals on the defensive end. Walko scored eight points, added seven rebounds and three blocks, while Elias Bermudez (Westwood, NJ/Westwood) scored seven points and grabbed seven rebounds.

The Lions won the rebounding battle by a margin of 48-36, and held the advantage in second chance points 21-9. The Lions controlled the game from the tip, as they never trailed and found themselves tied only once.

Next the Lions will take on New Jersey Athletic Conference foe Stockton University in the home opener on Wednesday, November 29th at 8:00 pm in Packer Hall.