Union, NJ… The College of New Jersey men's basketball team won their fifth straight game and remained undefeated in New Jersey Athletic Conference play, defeating Kean University 76-64 Saturday Afternoon. The Lions are 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the NJAC. The Cougars drop to 1-4 overall and 1-2 in conference play.
 
After the Lions fell behind early 9-4, Niall Carpenter (Westampton, NJ/Westampton) scored the final seven points of an 11-0 run to give TCNJ an early advantage. Carpenter finished with 18 points.
 
Keenan Williams, Jr. drained four threes and a layup from then until the halftime buzzer, propelling the Cougars to a 37-31 lead at the break. Williams, Jr. led the Cougars with 21 points.
 
The Lions trailed 41-33 early in the second, when Joe Montano (Eatontown, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) drained a triple to spark a 6-0 run and get the Lions within striking distance. TCNJ would take the lead minutes later on a jumper from Carpenter.
 
Montano would again spark the Lions with a pair of threes surrounding a lay-up from Eric Murdock, Jr. (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater) that would give TCNJ the lead for good. Montano finished one off a career-high with 12 points and Murdock, Jr. scored a game high 23.
 
Following yet another three from Williams, Jr., the Lions closed out the game on a 13-2 run, with Murdock Jr. and Carpenter providing all of the offense to put the game away.
 
Ryan Jensen (Brielle, NJ/Manasquan) finished a rebound shy of a double-double scoring 13 points to go along with a team high nine boards.
 
TCNJ will continue their road trip with a game at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Monday night. Tip-off is at 7:00 PM.